Australia tightened their grip on the fourth Ashes Test as Michael Neser dismissed England captain Ben Stokes, pushing the visitors further into crisis on Day 1 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Stokes fell for 16 off 38 balls, edging a delivery from Neser that carried safely to Steven Smith at slip. The wicket came at 21.1 overs, reducing England to 83/8, still trailing Australia’s first-innings total of 152 by 69 runs.
Earlier in the innings, England’s batting unravelled rapidly after a brief resistance from Harry Brook, who top-scored with 41 before falling lbw to Scott Boland. Australia’s seamers maintained relentless pressure, with Boland and Neser exploiting seam movement and bounce on a lively surface. England lost wickets at regular intervals, including Joe Root for a duck and quick dismissals of Jamie Smith and Will Jacks.
With only the tail left to support Gus Atkinson, England are once again staring at a substantial first-innings deficit. Australia, meanwhile, continue to dominate proceedings through disciplined bowling and sharp catching, keeping themselves firmly in control as the third session progresses at the ‘G’.
