Ashes 2025: England Rolled for 110 After Josh Tongue's Five-For Skittles Australia

The fourth Ashes Test of the 2025/26 series began with a day of pure, unadulterated cricketing chaos at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). In front of a world record cricket crowd of 94,199 spectators, the traditional battle between bat and ball swung violently in favor of the bowlers, as a staggering 20 wickets fell within the first day's play. It was the most wickets to fall on the opening day of a Test in Australia since 1951, leaving both teams and a shell-shocked audience wondering if the match would even see a third day.

The drama commenced early when England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and, surveying a grassy, green tinged pitch under overcast skies, opted to bowl first. His decision was vindicated almost immediately. Despite Australia entering the match with the Ashes already retained after a 3-0 lead, their top order looked uncharacteristically fragile against a relentless English pace attack.

Josh Tongue's Career Best Blitz

The protagonist of the morning session was undoubtedly Josh Tongue. The Nottinghamshire quick delivered a masterclass in wobble seam bowling, extracting steep bounce and lavish movement from the MCG deck. Tongue dismantled the Australian middle order, claiming the prized scalps of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne with absolute "unplayable" gems.

Australia found themselves in dire straits at 51-4 and eventually 152 all out just after tea. Tongue finished with career best figures of 5-45, his third five wicket haul in Test cricket. His performance was supported by Gus Atkinson, who claimed 2-28, and a spectacular run out by Brydon Carse that ended a promising 52-run partnership between Cameron Green and Michael Neser. Neser was the lone bright spot for the hosts with the bat, top scoring with a gritty 35.

England's Batting Nightmare

If Australia's total of 152 seemed low, England's response was a catastrophic reminder of their struggles throughout the tour. Within just eight overs, the tourists were reeling at 16-4. Mitchell Starc ignited the collapse, removing Ben Duckett for 2, while Michael Neser celebrating a triumphant return to the Test side trapped debutant Jacob Bethell for 1.

The MCG, which had roared for Tongue hours earlier, now erupted for hometown hero Scott Boland. Boland, returning to his favorite hunting ground, systematically dismantled the England lower order. He broke a counter attacking 50-run partnership between Harry Brook and Ben Stokes by trapping Brook LBW for 41. Brook's whirlwind cameo, featuring two audacious sixes, was the only significant resistance in an innings that lasted less than 30 overs.

England was eventually rolled for 110, handing Australia a 42-run first-innings lead. Neser finished with impressive figures of 4-45, while Boland took 3-30, proving once again that he is a specialist on the Victorian surface.

A Bizarre Finish to a Historic Day

The "bonkers" nature of the day continued into the final over. With England all out and roughly ten minutes of play remaining, Australia was forced to face a single over in their second innings. In a tactical move that delighted the local fans, Scott Boland was sent out as a "nightwatcher" to open the batting alongside Travis Head.

The over was filled with tension; Boland nearly fell on the penultimate ball when Jacob Bethell dropped a difficult one-handed chance in the gully. Boland survived the next delivery, guiding Gus Atkinson to the boundary to end the day with Australia at 4-0. The hosts lead by 46 runs heading into Day 2, but with the pitch continuing to offer excessive assistance to the seamers, no lead feels safe.

The record breaking crowd left the stadium having witnessed a rare feat: two complete innings in a single day of Ashes cricket. While the quality of the pitch became a topic of immediate debate among commentators, the sheer entertainment of 20 wickets falling has set the stage for a frantic conclusion to the Melbourne Test.