In a remarkable opening day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 20 wickets tumbled as Australia seized a 46-run lead over England. The visitors were bowled out for 110 in 29.5 overs after Australia managed 152 in their first innings.
Josh Tongue was the pick of England's bowlers, taking 5-45 as Australia struggled on a grassy pitch. Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head all fell cheaply, with only Usman Khawaja (29) and Alex Carey (20) offering resistance. A calamitous run-out of Cameron Green triggered a late collapse, leaving Australia all out before tea.
England's reply was even more disastrous. Michael Neser and Mitchell Starc tore through the top order, reducing England to 4-16. Joe Root fell for a duck, and Ben Duckett made just 2. Harry Brook counter-attacked with 41 off 34 balls, but his dismissal sparked another collapse. Scott Boland and Cameron Green chipped in with wickets as England folded inside 30 overs.
This was the first time 20 wickets fell on the opening day of an Ashes Test since 1950, and the first at the MCG since 1894. Nightwatchman Scott Boland survived the final over, even scoring a boundary to extend Australia's lead to 46 runs.
The pitch, with 10mm of grass, offered excessive seam movement, making batting treacherous. Despite being bowled out for a modest total, Australia's fast bowlers exploited the conditions brilliantly to put their side firmly on top.
