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England collapse as 20 wickets fall on chaotic Ashes Test opener
England were bowled out for 110 on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne, capping a frenetic session that saw 20 wickets tumble-the most on an Ashes Test opening day since 1909.
Record-breaking day at the MCG
Australia posted 152 in their first innings before England's batting unraveled in just 29.5 overs. The hosts then began their second innings at 4-0 by stumps, leading by 46 runs. This marked only the third time in Ashes history that a team's third innings started on day one.
Stand-in captain Steve Smith had warned that the 10mm grass on the pitch would challenge batters. His prediction proved accurate as both sides struggled on a surface that offered unpredictable bounce and movement.
Brook's defiance amid England's batting disaster
England's innings began disastrously, slumping to 8-3 and then 16-4 within the first 10 overs. Harry Brook, however, provided brief resistance with a 41-run knock, including two sixes, before being trapped lbw by Scott Boland.
Ben Stokes (14) and Gus Atkinson (28) were the only other batters to reach double figures. Michael Neser claimed four wickets, while Boland took three-later adding to the day's absurdity by opening the batting as nightwatchman.
"The pitch has done too much. It's unfair to the batters," former England captain Michael Vaughan said.
England's bowling revival overshadowed by batting collapse
Earlier, England's pace attack had shown promise, with Josh Tongue taking 5-45 to dismantle Australia's top order. Atkinson and Brydon Carse also impressed in their first Test together, restricting Australia to 152.
Tongue's spell included the dismissal of Smith, extending his record of dismissing the Australian batter in every first-class meeting. Atkinson and Carse combined for key wickets, including a direct-hit run-out by Carse to break a 50-run partnership between Neser and Cameron Green.
Crowd revels in England's struggles
A Boxing Day record crowd of 94,199 filled the Melbourne Cricket Ground, energized by England's rapid collapse. The atmosphere was electric as wickets fell in quick succession, with Boland's unorthodox nightwatchman role drawing the loudest cheers of the day.
The pitch, described as overly challenging, turned the match into a spectacle. While Australia emerged with the upper hand, the day's chaos left questions about the conditions' fairness and England's fragile batting lineup.
What's next
Australia will resume their second innings on day two, aiming to extend their 46-run lead. England, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to avoid a second two-day Ashes Test loss in five weeks.
