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Australia seized a dominant position on the opening day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, establishing a 46-run lead after an astonishing 20 wickets tumbled. A record Boxing Day crowd of 94,199 spectators, the highest ever for this iconic venue, witnessed a tumultuous day of Test cricket where both batting lineups profoundly struggled against a pitch offering lavish movement. This high-drama encounter unfolded despite Australia already holding an unassailable 3-0 series lead, turning the anticipated ‘dead rubber’ into a gripping spectacle.
England’s bowlers capitalised on the inviting conditions after captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first, dismissing Australia for a modest 152 runs in 46 overs. Josh Tongue spearheaded the English attack with a high-class five-wicket haul, his best figures of the series, demonstrating significant improvement in their bowling discipline. Despite early resistance from Usman Khawaja, who top-scored with 29, and a valuable 35 from Michael Neser, Australia’s innings never truly gained momentum against the relentless English pressure.
The tourists displayed a marked improvement in their fielding, a facet of their game that has faced recent criticism. This was highlighted by flawless catching throughout the innings and a rare direct hit run-out from Brydon Carse. Gus Atkinson initiated the Australian collapse by bowling Travis Head via an under-edge in the seventh over. Tongue then made an immediate impact, dismissing Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne, before producing a delivery of exceptional quality to bowl Steve Smith through the gate, signalling the difficult batting conditions for even the most accomplished players.
Australia, who were 72 for four at lunch, lost their final six wickets for just 80 runs in the afternoon session as England maintained their aggressive approach. Key wickets included Usman Khawaja nicking behind to Atkinson and Alex Carey falling to a leg-slip trap set by Stokes. A 52-run stand for the seventh wicket between Cameron Green and Michael Neser briefly threatened to stabilise the innings, but Green’s hesitation on a risky single led to his run-out by Carse, breaking the partnership. Tongue then wrapped up the tail, claiming Neser and Scott Boland with successive balls.
Any momentum England hoped to carry into their batting innings swiftly evaporated as their own lineup crumbled dramatically, collapsing to 110 all out in response. The tourists failed to reach the 30-over mark, enduring a capitulation that saw them lose four wickets for only 16 runs within the first eight overs. This rapid decline underscored the perilous nature of the pitch and the pressure exerted by Australia’s formidable bowling attack, leaving England with a substantial deficit at the close of play.
Ben Duckett’s turbulent tour continued as he spooned a catch to mid-on, further lowering his average, while Jacob Bethell, drafted in to replace Ollie Pope, lasted just five balls before being comprehensively deceived by Michael Neser. Zak Crawley and Joe Root also fell cheaply, both poking to slip, with Steve Smith’s reliable hands securing Root’s dismissal for a duck. Harry Brook then mounted a brief, aggressive counter-attack, charging furiously at the bowlers and hitting two sixes and two fours in his rapid 41 runs. However, his high-risk approach eventually led to his dismissal by Scott Boland, who pinned him clean in front. Boland and Neser then tore through the remaining English batsmen, ensuring Australia ended the day firmly in control, poised to press for victory on day two.
