A dramatic opening day unfolded at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday as all 20 wickets fell on Day 1 of the fourth Ashes Test, with England bowled out for 110 in reply to Australia’s 152, trailing by 42 runs at the innings break.
After opting to bowl first, England struck early and bundled out Australia for a modest total, but the hosts hit back emphatically with the ball. Australia’s pace attack exploited seam movement and uneven bounce, triggering a stunning English collapse that saw wickets tumble regularly through all three sessions.
England were reduced to 66/5, then 83/8, before eventually being dismissed in 29.5 overs. Gus Atkinson top-scored with 28, while none of the other batters managed to convert starts into substantial contributions as Australia maintained relentless pressure.
For Australia, the bowling effort was led by Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc, with support from Michael Neser and Cameron Green, as England lost their last five wickets for minimal resistance. The final blow came when Atkinson was bowled by Green, sealing England’s collapse and ensuring a dramatic close to the day.
With both sides dismissed on Day 1, the match remains finely poised, but Australia will take confidence from their bowling performance and the first-innings lead heading into Day 2.
