Australia collapsed for 152, and still secured a 42-run lead over England after the first innings on a remarkable opening day of the fourth Ashes Test, which witnessed the fall of 20 wickets. Australia were 4-0 in their second innings at stumps, an overall lead of 46 runs, after batting through one nervous over before stumps.
The 20 wickets on the first day was also a record for a Boxing Day Test, beating the 18 in the 1998 Ashes match. The all-time Test record is 27 for the 1888 Ashes Test at Lord's.
Josh Tongue claimed a career-best 5-45 as England bowled Australia out after winning the toss and bowling. In reply, England made 110 in 29.5 overs as Michael Neser grabbed 4-45. Tongue, in his eighth Test, took three early wickets as Australia stumbled to 72-4 at lunch. Travis Head (12) and Jake Weatherald (10) fell cheaply as Australia reached 31-2 in the 10th over. Capitalising on a pitch offering sideways movement, Tongue deceived Marnus Labuschagne (6), who edged to first slip at 34-3.
In a key breakthrough, captain Steve Smith lost his middle stump while attempting to drive Tongue with the total on 51. Australia aimed to rebuild through veteran Usman Khawaja, but the 39-year-old was caught behind to Gus Atkinson's bowling for 29 at 89-5. Alex Carey clipped a catch to leg gully two runs later. Neser (35) and Cameron Green (17) shared a 52-run partnership before Green hesitated and was run out at 143-7.
Tongue was cheered off the field at tea after dismissing Neser and Scott Boland (0) with the first two deliveries of his 12th over. England were 8-3 in 4.2 overs as Zak Crawley (5), Jacob Bethell (2) and Ben Duckett (2) all departed in an action-packed opening to the innings.
When Joe Root was caught behind for a duck off the bowling of Neser at 16-4 at the end of the eighth over, Harry Brook charged the next delivery from Mitchell Starc and clubbed it over mid-off for six.
Brook bravely belted 41 off 34 balls, including two fours and two sixes, adding 50 for the fifth wicket with Stokes. Boland (3-30) dismissed Brook, Jamie Smith (2) and Will Jacks (5) in three consecutive overs as England slumped to 77-7. Neser struck a key blow in the following over when skipper Ben Stokes (16) was caught at slip.
Also read: Australia opt for pace-heavy attack in fourth Ashes Test
Follow us
