BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Australia were bowled out for a modest 152 yet still emerged with a first-innings advantage after a breathtaking opening day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where 20 wickets fell in frenetic fashion and momentum swung wildly between the two rivals.
By stumps on Friday, Australia had reached 4 without loss in their second innings, holding an overall lead of 46 runs after surviving a tense final over under fading light. The day belonged as much to the bowlers as it did to the spectacle, played out before a world-record crowd of 94,199 spectators, the largest ever attendance for a single day of cricket at the MCG, surpassing the mark set during the 2015 World Cup final.
England set the tone after winning the toss and electing to bowl on a lively surface offering consistent movement. Josh Tongue produced the finest performance of his young Test career, taking 5 for 45 to spearhead Australia’s collapse. Bowling with pace and control, Tongue struck three times before lunch as Australia slipped to 72 for 4, immediately placing the hosts under pressure.
The early damage came quickly. Travis Head and Jake Weatherald were dismissed cheaply as Australia fell to 31 for 2, before Tongue found the edge of Marnus Labuschagne, who departed for 6. Captain Steve Smith then suffered a major blow to Australia’s innings when he lost his middle stump attempting to drive Tongue with the score on 51.
Usman Khawaja attempted to steady the innings, but the veteran opener was caught behind for 29, and Alex Carey followed shortly after, edging a catch to leg gully as Australia slid deeper into trouble. A brief resistance came from Michael Neser and Cameron Green, who added 52 runs for the seventh wicket, offering Australia hope of pushing toward a competitive total.
That stand ended when Green hesitated mid-pitch and was run out for 17, triggering another collapse. Tongue returned with a decisive burst just before tea, removing Neser for 35 and Scott Boland for a duck with successive deliveries, walking off to a standing ovation as Australia were dismissed for 152.
England’s reply began in equally dramatic fashion. Australia’s fast bowlers made immediate inroads as the visitors slumped to 8 for 3 inside five overs. Zak Crawley, Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett all fell cheaply, unable to cope with the movement on offer. When Joe Root edged behind for a duck to Neser, England were reeling at 16 for 4.
Harry Brook counterattacked to arrest the slide, charging Mitchell Starc and launching him over mid-off for six. Brook played with bold intent, striking 41 from just 34 deliveries with two fours and two sixes, and sharing a 50-run stand with Ben Stokes that briefly shifted momentum England’s way.
That resistance ended when Scott Boland took control. The seamer dismissed Brook, Jamie Smith and Will Jacks in quick succession, finishing with figures of 3 for 30 as England collapsed to 77 for 7. Neser then delivered a crucial blow by removing Stokes for 16, caught at slip, ensuring England’s innings never fully recovered.
England were eventually dismissed for 110 in 29.5 overs, handing Australia a 42-run first-innings lead despite their own struggles earlier in the day. The innings ended with just enough time for Australia to return to the crease and face a probing over before stumps, which they negotiated safely to close at 4 without loss.
After the day’s play, Neser reflected on the difficult conditions, noting how challenging batting had been throughout. With the ball continuing to nip around, the contest remains finely balanced heading into the second day.
England entered the match already dealing with a significant setback, having confirmed earlier in the week that fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the remainder of the series, including the fifth and final Test in Sydney starting January 4. On evidence of the opening day, however, England’s attack showed it still has the firepower to trouble Australia, setting up the prospect of another gripping chapter in this Ashes series.
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