The fourth Ashes Test erupted into chaos on its opening day in Melbourne, with a staggering 20 wickets tumbling on a green-tinged pitch that offered relentless assistance to the bowlers. By stumps, Australia had secured a fragile 46-run lead in a match already hurtling toward a rapid conclusion.
After England won the toss and chose to bowl, their decision was vindicated in dramatic fashion. The Australian batting order crumbled to 152 all out before the tea interval, succumbing primarily to the seam and swing of Josh Tongue, who finished with an impressive five-wicket haul. Michael Neser’s battling 35 was the lone resistance of note for the hosts.
However, any English advantage proved fleeting. Their reply was a calamitous collapse, bundled out for a mere 110 in under a single session. Harry Brook’s aggressive 41 from 34 balls provided the only sustained fight, as the Australian attack shared the spoils. Neser followed his runs with four wickets, while local hero Scott Boland exploited his home conditions expertly to claim three.
The frenetic day concluded with a nerve-shredding final over. Australia, sent back in to face one over before stumps, saw nightwatchman Scott Boland survive two edged chances that just evaded the cordon, leaving the hosts 4 without loss and the match tantalisingly poised.
With the pitch offering significant movement and bounce, questions will inevitably arise about the surface, but the day belonged unequivocally to the bowlers. The scoreboard tells the story of a breathless contest where every delivery was an event, setting the stage for a second day that could decide the fate of the Test and the series.