Australia seize very handy lead as 20 wickets fall on Day 1 of what was a madcap boxing day test in Melbourne.
Australia seize handy lead after Josh Tongue five-for on 20-wicket day.
At a packed MCG on the biggest day in Australian cricket, England were briefly feeling the Christmas spirit as the fallout from some very humiliating off-field shenanigans combined with the ongoing recriminations from an Ashes defeat.
However, England was unable to take advantage of a position of strength for the first time in this series, falling behind by 42 runs in the first innings—a relatively significant deficit considering the bowler-friendly conditions. After a wild first day of the Boxing Day Test, England is once again at a disadvantage.
An incredible 20 wickets were taken on the first day of an Ashes MCG Test since 1901–02 in front of a ground record crowd of 94,119, which surpassed the attendance of the 2015 World Cup final.
The match is proceeding at warp speed on a surface that is sure to draw attention, reminiscent of the first Test in Perth. Usman Khawaja was the only batsman to encounter more than 50 deliveries because to the severely seaming conditions caused by curator Matt Page leaving 10mm of grass on the surface. Only three English batsmen scored more than five runs when they faced more than 40 deliveries.
Josh Tongue’s 5 for 45 was a strong start for England’s attempt to stop Australia’s pursuit for a 5-0 whitewash. In cloudy, chilly morning weather, Australia were bundled out for 152 from just 45.2 overs after being sent in. Although it was their third-shortest innings in a home Ashes Test, Joe Root’s dismissal following a 15-ball duck caused England to fall to 16 for 4, making the score appear dangerous.
Then, in an increasingly feverish atmosphere, Harry Brook unleashed the most amazing counterattack, top-scoring with 41 off 34 balls as he boldly danced down the wicket, reviving Bazball along the way.
However, his careless knock was short-lived, as hometown hero Scott Boland and recalled Michael Neser combined for seven wickets as England were dismissed just before stumps.
Australia had to play one over before the end, with Boland opening opposite Travis Head in lieu of Jake Weatherald, to top off an exciting day. After Jacob Bethell missed a difficult opportunity at fifth slip, he just made it through the entire over before hitting a boundary to end an exciting day.