Historic Day in Melbourne: 20 wickets fall on opening day of 4th Ashes Test, first time in 123 years
The fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) produced a piece of extraordinary cricketing history as 20 wickets fell on the opening day — something that hadn’t happened in Australia for 123 years. Despite being bowled out for just 152, Australia somehow ended the first innings with a 42-run lead over England in what became one of the most dramatic Boxing Day Tests ever witnessed.
123-year first: 20 wickets fall on Day 1
Friday’s opening day saw both teams bowled out before stumps — a phenomenon last seen in an Ashes Test in Australia back in 1902. The match also set a Boxing Day Test record for wickets lost in a single day (20), surpassing the 18 that fell during the 1998 Melbourne Test.
It was also a historic day off the field, as a record crowd of 94,199 packed the MCG — the largest ever for any single day of cricket in world history, beating the 93,013 spectators who attended the 2015 Cricket World Cup final at the same venue.
At stumps, Australia were 4–0 in their second innings, holding an overall 46-run lead on a lively MCG pitch that saw sideways movement and uneven bounce throughout the day.
Most wickets to fall on Day 1 of a Test in Australia
Wickets | Match | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
---------- | -------- | -------- | --------- |
25 | Australia vs England | Melbourne | 1901–02 |
22 | Australia vs West Indies | Adelaide | 1951–52 |
20 | Australia vs South Africa | Melbourne | 1931–32 |
20 | Australia vs England | Melbourne | 1894–95 |
20 | Australia vs England | Melbourne | 2025–26 |
Tongue shines, Neser answers back
England’s decision to bowl first paid immediate dividends thanks to pacer Josh Tongue, who delivered a career-best 5 for 45. The right-armer struck early to remove Travis Head (12) and Jake Weatherald (10) before dismissing Marnus Labuschagne (6) and Steve Smith, bowling the Australian captain through the gate for 51.
“It’s an amazing feeling — getting Smith out is very special,” said Tongue, who was visibly emotional after taking five wickets.
Australia briefly rallied through a 52-run stand between Cameron Green (17) and Michael Neser (35), before collapsing again. Gus Atkinson and Tongue cleaned up the tail as the hosts were bundled out for 152 in 42.1 overs.
England’s reply began disastrously as Zak Crawley (5), Jacob Bethell (2), Ben Duckett (2), and Joe Root (0) departed within the first eight overs. By 16-4, the visitors were in disarray against Neser (4 for 45) and Starc’s relentless pace.
Brook’s counterattack and Boland’s burst
Harry Brook offered fleeting resistance, smashing 41 off 34 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, including a blistering lofted drive over mid-off against Starc. Together with skipper Ben Stokes (16), he added 50 for the fifth wicket before Scott Boland (3 for 30) ripped through the middle and lower order.
As wickets tumbled rapidly, England folded for 110 — 42 runs behind on first innings — setting up an already tense Test heading into Day 2.
Speaking after stumps, Michael Neser, who played a vital all-round role, called the chaotic day “a whirlwind.”
“I dreamed of this as a kid," he said. "It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it — 20 wickets in one day is something I’ve never seen before.”
England’s woes deepen as Archer ruled out
Hours before the match, England suffered a setback when Jofra Archer was ruled out of the remainder of the series, including the Sydney Test starting January 4. His absence places extra pressure on England’s pace unit, led by Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson, to carry the bowling load.
Despite having already lost the Ashes after three consecutive defeats, England’s fighting spirit on a volatile MCG pitch brought the contest back to life. The series now stands 3–0 in Australia’s favour with one more Test to go.