first day of Fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England The dominance of fast bowlers was seen at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and 20 wickets fell in the thrilling match. England’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss was brilliant. passion tongue Proceeded by taking five wickets and destroying Australia’s top order. Despite brief resistance from Michael Nesser And cameron greenAustralia collapsed for 152 runs in just 45.2 overs. England’s response was equally disastrous Mitchell Starc And Michael Nesser Their batting lineup was devastated, leaving the visitors all out for 110 runs in 29.5 overs. By the end of the day, Australia were 4/0 in their second innings and had a lead of 46 runs.
Australia struggle as top order collapses against Josh Tongue
Australia’s batting on the first day was a tale of disappointment, as the hosts struggled to cope with the pace and movement of England’s bowlers. After being invited to bat, Australia initially lost wickets at regular intervals. travis headWho got out after scoring only 12 runs Gus AtkinsonMiddle order failed to build any partnership Jake Weatherald (10), marnus labuschagne (6) and steve smith (9) Everyone is leaving cheaply.
Smith’s dismissal was particularly painful passion tongue He was clean bowled with an excellent ball which hit him from behind and the stumps were shattered. Usman Khawaja (29) and alex carey Whereas, (20) were the only other notable contributors Michael Nesser Top score with 35. Australia were all out for 152 in 45.2 overs, with Tongue finishing with impressive figures of 5/45 as England’s bowlers enjoyed excellent conditions throughout the day.
England’s reaction: The collapse of Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser’s skills
Chasing 153 was always going to be a challenging task for England, and Australia’s pace attack quickly brought them to their knees. jack crawley (5) and ben duckett (2) got out early Mitchell StarcLater caught by Neser at second slip. main wicket of Joe Root A duck dashed England’s hopes as they were found struggling at 8/3. harry brook (41) played a fast innings and tried to make a comeback by hitting two fours and two sixes, but the pressure remained constant. ben stokes (16) also failed to make any significant impact and after Brook’s dismissal, England’s batting faltered further. Whereas, Neser took 4 wickets Scott Boland And jay richardson Each got one wicket. England were all out for 110 in just 29.5 overs, giving Australia a significant lead of 46 runs at the end of the first day’s play.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Jofra Archer has never dismissed Steve Smith. But Josh Tongue has dismissed him thrice, that is, he has bowled him out every time in first-class cricket.
– Will MacPherson (@willis_macp) 26 December 2025
What I meant in yesterday’s tweet was that Australia as a team should try to reach 200 and England should try to reach 100!
– Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) 26 December 2025
Josh Tongue has bowled out Steve Smith in every first-class match. He was also dismissed in The Hundred earlier this year.
– Rohit Shankar (@imRohit_SN) 26 December 2025
Josh tongue! whistle.
For five. Well done, man.
– Bharat Ramraj (@Fancricket12) 26 December 2025
A tough tour can break you and England have seen that. You bowl Australia out for just 152 and then all out for 110 – it’s suicidal.
And, all this in a one-day game, in front of the biggest crowd recorded for a Test at the MCG in a long time. #ash #AUSvENG,– Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) 26 December 2025
Will Jacques pushed the first ball towards Scott Boland and tried to ground it!!
The broadcaster insisted on Ben Stokes at the non-striker end.
Australia is a tough place to tour, especially if you are 0-3. #ash
– Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) 26 December 2025
Hint of another two-day Ashes Test. England will have to buy a lot of beer to compensate for the revenue shortfall on the third day of the MCG.
– Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) 26 December 2025
When Australia batted… the English commentators were saying, “England’s bowlers are brilliant”
When England batted, “this pitch is doing too much”#Ashes2025
– Lewis Yates.com (@LewisYatesOfcl) 26 December 2025
Bonkers. https://t.co/nixK4k6ZWr
– Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) 26 December 2025
Australia has taken a lead of 46 runs at stumps on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test.#Ashes2025 #AUSvsENG pic.twitter.com/nmA3Hit49W
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 26 December 2025
