Australia were bowled out for just 152 on the opening day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, with England’s fast bowlers dominating after winning the toss and choosing to field.
England pacer Josh Tongue starred with the ball, claiming 5 for 45 as Australia suffered a dramatic collapse in front of a record crowd of 93,442 spectators at the MCG. The attendance eclipsed the previous record of 93,013 set during the 2015 World Cup final.
Australia lost their final three wickets without adding a run and the last four for just nine, turning a fragile position into a complete collapse before tea on day one.
The slide began when all-rounder Cameron Green was run out for 17. Mitchell Starc was dismissed for one, Michael Neser for 35, and Scott Boland for a duck as England wrapped up the innings swiftly.
England struck soon after lunch when Gus Atkinson removed Usman Khawaja for 29, ending a 38-run partnership. The delivery straightened just enough to take a thin edge through to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, with England overturning the on-field decision via review as Snicko detected a faint sound.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey followed shortly after, out for 20 when he flicked a delivery from England captain Ben Stokes straight to Zak Crawley at leg gully.
Australia went to lunch on 72 for four after Tongue’s destructive morning spell of 3 for 24, during which he dismissed opener Jake Weatherald (10), Marnus Labuschagne (6) and Steve Smith (9). Smith’s struggles against Tongue continued, with the batter falling to the pacer in every first-class innings they have faced each other, including twice during the 2023 Ashes at Lord’s.
Atkinson had earlier struck the first blow of the innings by bowling Travis Head for 12.
Australia handed fast bowler Jhye Richardson his first Test appearance since the 2021 Ashes in Adelaide, opting for an all-pace attack alongside Starc, Boland, and Neser. Green was pushed down to number seven in the batting order, replacing Josh Inglis, while Khawaja moved to number five.
England, meanwhile, brought Atkinson back into the side in place of the injured Jofra Archer. Jacob Bethell made his Ashes debut, batting at number three after Ollie Pope was dropped.
England will now look to capitalise on Australia’s low total as they begin their reply later on day one.
