Ashes 2025:The record crowd at Melbourne Cricket Ground saw chaos on the Day of the Boxing Day Test. England won the toss and chose to bowl first, and this decision worked in their favour as they tried to take advantage of the bowlers' friendly pitch, which helped them to rattle England's batting attack.
Now that they have lost this series, the Ben Stokes-led side is playing just for pride. They had a flying start as Josh Tongue took a five-for and helped the team skittle Australia out for 152 runs. Tongue registered brilliant bowling figures of 5/45.
Michael Neser was the highest run-scorer as he scored 35 runs off 49 balls, in which he had hit 7 fours. Usman Khawaja had scored a gritty knock of 29 runs off 52 balls.
England's batters were seen struggling and couldn't even bat for more than 30 overs. They were skittled out for 110 runs, and the host took a lead of 42 runs. Just three batters were able to score in double-digits.
Australia did survive a nervy phase till stumps. After performing well as a bowler, fast bowler Scott Boland came in to bat as a nightwatchman. And he did a better job by smashing a four and helped the team lead by 46 runs.
20 wickets fell on day 1. For the first time after 1902, 20 wickets were taken on a day in the ongoing series.
Most Wickets To Fall on Day 1 of a Test in Australia
25 – Australia vs England in Melbourne (1901-02)
22 – Australia vs West Indies in Adelaide (1951-52)
20 – Australia vs South Africa in Melbourne (1931-32)
20 – Australia vs England in Melbourne (1894-95)
20 – Australia vs England in Melbourne (2025-26
The 1902 MCG test too has the record of witnessing the falling of most wickets as 25 batters were dismissed on day 1 itself.
Most Wickets To Fall On Day 1 Of An Australia-England Test
25 at MCG (1902)
22 at The Oval (1890)
20 at The Oval (1882)
20 at Old Trafford (1909)
20 at MCG (1894-95)
20 at MCG (2025)
This is also the sixth time in the history of this format, where both Australia and England have lost 20 wickets in a day.