An astounding 20 wickets fell on a frantic Day One of the fourth Ashes Test on Friday, with Australia all out for 152 before storming back to dismiss England for 110 and leave the clash on a knife-edge.
England skipper Ben Stokes won a key toss on a green track and his quicks feasted after sending in the hosts under overcast skies in front of 94,199 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was the biggest cricket crowd ever at the cavernous arena, exceeding the 93,013 who watched the 2015 World Cup final, and they witnessed the home side collapse with Josh Tongue grabbing 5-45.
But England fared even worse, slumping to 16-4 and never recovering, leaving Australia to face one over before stumps, which nightwatchman Scott Boland safely negotiated with Travis Head at the other end.
Australia were 4-0 at stumps with Boland on four, 46 ahead, with Head yet to face a ball. Boxing Day Test has a very personal meaning to Australia bowler Michael Neser, who took 4-45, “It’s unreal. I dreamt of this as a kid. Every Boxing Day, I’d wake up early, and me and my brother and I would play backyard cricket for hours and come back in and watch cricket,” he said.
“The whole day is cricket for us, and to be part of it, it’s a dream come true. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it,” he added. The opening day witnessed a controversy involving the third umpire once again when Brydon Carse dismissed Mitchell Starc on an alleged no-ball.
Brief scores
Australia 152 (M Neser 35; J Tongue 5-45, G Atkinson 2-28) & 4-0 vs England 110 (H Brook 41; M Neser 4-45, S Boland 3-30, M Starc 2-23)
94,199
No of spectators at the MCG on Friday, the largest attendance for a single day of a Test match
1931
The year the MCG last witnessed 20 wickets falling on the opening day (Australia vs South Africa) before the ongoing Test
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