20 wickets fall on day one as Australia gain edge in Ashes Test

AFP/APP

Melbourne: An astounding 20 wickets fell on a frantic opening day of the fourth Ashes Test on Friday, with Australia bowled out for 152 before roaring back to dismiss England for just 110, leaving the contest finely poised.

England skipper Ben Stokes won a crucial toss on a green pitch under overcast skies, and his pace attack made early inroads as 94,199 fans packed the Melbourne Cricket Ground — the largest cricket crowd ever at the venue, surpassing the 93,013 who attended the 2015 World Cup final.

Josh Tongue spearheaded England’s attack with figures of 5-45 as Australia collapsed. However, England’s response was even more dramatic, slumping to 16-4 and never recovering.

Australia closed the day on 4-0, with nightwatchman Scott Boland safely seeing out the final over alongside Travis Head. Boland was unbeaten on four, while Head was yet to face a delivery, giving Australia a 46-run lead.

England collapse

England opener Ben Duckett endured another torrid outing, dismissed for two just days after unverified footage emerged showing him intoxicated during a mid-series beach break. He lobbed a simple catch to Michael Neser at mid-on off Mitchell Starc.

Neser struck again in the next over, removing Jacob Bethell — playing in place of the struggling Ollie Pope — who edged to Alex Carey behind the stumps. Zak Crawley soon followed, caught in the slips by Steve Smith off Starc, before Joe Root edged Neser to Carey to leave England reeling.

Harry Brook attempted to counterattack, launching sixes off Starc and Neser, and combined with Stokes to briefly stem the collapse. The pair added 50 runs before Boland trapped Brook lbw for 41.

Boland then tore through the tail, bowling Jamie Smith for two and having Will Jacks caught behind — all within 10 deliveries. The 36-year-old finished with devastating figures, recalling his famous 6-7 spell at the same ground against England four years ago.

When Stokes edged Neser (4-45) to Smith in the slips for 16, England’s innings effectively ended.

Australia’s shaky start

Australia, already assured of retaining the Ashes after dominant wins in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, were put under immediate pressure after Stokes won the toss.

With Jofra Archer sidelined by injury, Atkinson opened the bowling. Travis Head struck consecutive boundaries off Brydon Carse but was dismissed for 12, chopping on from Atkinson. Jake Weatherald followed for 10, edging down the leg side to Smith off Tongue.

Tongue continued to impress, removing Marnus Labuschagne (6) and then bowling Steve Smith for nine. Usman Khawaja (29) briefly counterattacked, driving Atkinson gloriously, but edged behind next ball.

Alex Carey made 20 before flicking a Stokes delivery to Crawley at leg gully. Cameron Green struck a few boundaries but was run out for 17, while Neser added quick runs before Tongue wrapped up the innings by dismissing him and Boland.