Overview
Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes series saw dramatic action as 20 wickets fell at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Both Australia and England collapsed cheaply, giving bowlers full control and setting up an exciting contest for the rest of the match.
 |
| Bowlers dominate on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Image Source: Instagram/@icc —Edited & Modified by Us |
The opening day of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England delivered intense and fast paced cricket, with a total of 20 wickets falling in just one day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Both teams found batting extremely challenging on a pitch that clearly favored the bowlers.
Australia First Innings Collapse
Australia were sent in to bat first but failed to build a strong total, getting bowled out for just 152 runs in their first innings.
Top Performers for Australia
- Michael Neser played a fighting knock, scoring 35 runs to top the batting chart.
- Usman Khawaja contributed 29 runs, but no batter managed to convert their start into a big score.
England Bowling Highlights
- Josh Tongue was outstanding, claiming five wickets and leading England’s bowling attack.
- Gus Atkinson provided strong support by picking up multiple wickets and keeping pressure on the Australian batters.
England Struggle in Their First Innings
England also failed to take advantage of the conditions and were dismissed for only 110 runs, falling short of Australia total.
Key Contributions for England
- Harry Brook stood out with a well made 41 runs under difficult conditions.
- Gus Atkinson added a useful 28 runs, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled to stay at the crease.
Australia Bowling Performance
- Michael Neser returned with excellent figures, taking four wickets.
- Scott Boland supported him well, finishing with three wickets and keeping England under constant pressure.
Australia Gain a Small Lead
By the end of the day, Australia had started their second innings cautiously and reached 4 runs without loss, taking a 46 run overall lead.
With so many wickets already fallen, the match remains finely balanced and promises more drama in the coming days.
Related Reads:
Tags
Ashes
ashes series
aus vs eng
australia vs england
Boxing Day Test
Cricket
Josh Tongue
Michael Neser