Australia Lead England after Twenty-Wicket Opening Day on Lively MCG Pitch
Twenty wickets fell on day one at MCG as bowlers dominated and pitch conditions sparked debate.
The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground produced one of the most chaotic opening days in the series' history on December 26, 2025, with a staggering 20 wickets falling on Boxing Day. Australia, after being sent in to bat by England captain Ben Stokes, was bowled out for 152 in just 45.2 overs, thanks largely to a career-best 5-45 from fast bowler Josh Tongue, who claimed key scalps including that of Steve Smith. In reply, England fared even worse, collapsing to 110 all out in 29.5 overs, with Michael Neser taking 4-45 and Scott Boland grabbing 3-30. Despite the low totals, Australia ended the day with a 46-run overall lead at 4-0 in their second innings, setting the stage for a potentially brief contest on a green-tinged pitch that offered extravagant seam movement.
The bowler-dominated day drew widespread criticism of the pitch preparation, with 10mm of grass left on the surface contributing to sideways movement and difficult batting conditions. Former players from both sides, including England's Stuart Broad and Australia's Glenn McGrath, described it as having too much life for a fair Test match wicket. A record crowd of 94,199 spectators—the highest ever for a day of cricket at the MCG, surpassing the 2015 World Cup final—witnessed the spectacle, but many expressed concerns over whether the surface provided an equitable contest between bat and ball.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen highlighted perceived inconsistencies in how such pitches are judged, pointing to frequent scrutiny faced by Indian venues in similar situations. He posted on X: "India ALWAYS gets hammered when wickets fall like crazy on day 1 of a Test and so I hope that Australia gets the same scrutiny! Fair is fair!" Pietersen's comments sparked debate, underscoring a broader discussion on pitch standards and double standards in international cricket coverage.
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The result leaves England, already trailing 3-0 in the series and having surrendered the Ashes after just three tests, facing an uphill battle in a match that could conclude quickly. Tongue's performance provided a rare highlight for the tourists amid their struggles, while Australia's bowlers capitalized on the helpful conditions to maintain control. As the series heads toward its conclusion, the events of this extraordinary day have reignited conversations about preparing balanced pitches for high-profile contests like the Ashes.
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