20 Wickets Tumble on Day 1 as Scott Boland Opens in Australia's Second Innings
20 wickets fall on Day 1 of Boxing Day Test as Australia bats twice at MCG.
The fourth Test of the Ashes 2025–26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground delivered one of the most extraordinary opening days in Test cricket history. England won the toss and asked Australia to bat, a decision that immediately paid dividends as the hosts were bowled out for just 152. However, what followed stunned fans, as England collapsed for 110, forcing Australia to bat again on the very first day.
Australia batting twice on Day 1 marked only the sixth instance in Test history where a team has achieved this rare feat. Notably, it was the fourth such occasion involving Australia, three of them coming against England. Outside of contests featuring England or Australia, only the South Africa vs India Test in Cape Town in 2024 has seen a team bat twice in a match.
The day also etched a new chapter in MCG folklore, with 20 wickets falling in a single day’s play. This matched the fourth-highest tally of wickets on a day at the venue and placed the match alongside classic Ashes encounters from 1894–95 and 1931–32. The conditions offered seam movement, bounce, and uneven pace, heavily favouring the bowlers throughout the day.
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Australia’s first innings never found stability despite brief resistance from Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey. England’s pace attack, led by Josh Tongue’s five-wicket haul, kept relentless pressure on the batters. Just as Australia looked to recover through Cameron Green and Michael Neser, sharp fielding and disciplined bowling wrapped up the innings swiftly.
England’s reply lasted barely a session, as Australia’s bowlers responded with equal ferocity. Mitchell Starc, Michael Neser, and Scott Boland tore through the lineup, with only Harry Brook offering meaningful resistance. England were dismissed for 110, handing Australia a crucial 42-run lead before stumps.
Australia returned to bat for one over at the end of the day, finishing on 4 without loss. Scott Boland, sent in as nightwatchman, struck a boundary to cap off a remarkable day. In the process, Boland became the 26th batter in Test history to bat twice on Day 1, underlining the sheer rarity and drama of a wicket-packed opening at the MCG.
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