Ashes: 20 wickets tumble on chaotic Boxing Day opener as England struggle again

By SABC Sport
26th December 2025

England were skittled for 110 inside 30 overs on the opening day of the Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne, after earlier bowling Australia out for 152 thanks to Josh Tongue's five-wicket haul.

The day saw an incredible 20 wickets fall, the first time that has happened on the opening day of an Ashes Test since 1950.

The tourists began promisingly on Friday, taking Australia's first innings wickets in 45.2 overs, with Tongue removing Steve Smith (6) and Marnus Labuschagne (9) en route to his third Ashes five-wicket haul.

Tongue also trapped Jake Weatherald (10) and Michael Neser (35) as England held the upper hand early, though Cameron Green and Travis Head offered resistance to push Australia just past 150.

However, England then struggled on a green, bowler-friendly pitch, slipping to 16-4. Early dismissals included Ben Duckett (2) ballooning a shot to mid-on, Ashes debutant Jacob Bethell (1) caught behind, Zak Crawley (5) edging to slip, and Joe Root (0) falling to a good catch from Alex Carey.

A brief rally came from Harry Brook (41) and Gus Atkinson (28), who attacked the bowling with aggressive shots, helping England scrape past 100, but Brook then fell to Scott Boland, while Atkinson was bowled by Cameron Green.

The tail offered little further resistance, and England were eventually bowled out for 110, leaving Australia 4-0 and 46 runs ahead at stumps.

England now face a steep task to avoid history repeating with a whitewash, with Australia holding a commanding position at the MCG.