Australia moved to the brink of bowling England out cheaply as Michael Neser dismissed Brydon Carse, leaving the visitors 91/9 in their first innings of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Carse’s dismissal came from a moment of unnecessary bravado. Neser banged in a short ball and Carse attempted a rash pull shot, only to get a top edge that ballooned high into the air. Scott Boland, stationed at long leg, judged it well and dived forward at the last moment to complete a sharp catch. Carse departed for 4 off 12 balls, further compounding England’s troubles.
Earlier in the session, England’s collapse gathered pace with the wickets of Ben Stokes, Will Jacks and Jamie Smith, as Australia’s pacers continued to exploit bounce and movement. Neser and Boland have led the charge with relentless accuracy, backed by outstanding catching in the deep and close in.
With England nine wickets down and still well behind Australia’s modest first-innings total of 152, the hosts are firmly on course for a decisive advantage as Day 1 edges towards its conclusion at the ‘G’.
