England struck an early decisive blow Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test as Josh Dil He produced a moment of magic to dismiss Australia’s captain Steve Smith at the MCG. After winning the toss and selecting the bowl, Ben Stokes The decision paid immediate dividends, with England attacking quickly taking advantage of the favorable conditions. Australia struggled to settle at the crease as wickets fell regularly in the opening session. Among those dismissals, Smith’s wicket stood out as the defining moment before Tea on Day 1.
Ashes 2025-26: Josh Tongue bowls Steve Smith with absolute jaffa at the MCG.
Language produced a moment of top-class fast bowling to remove Australia’s first innings Smith in the fourth Ashes Test. Full of bowling and on a probing length, Tongue pulled the ball sharply back off the surface, aiming for the stumps. Eager to break the shackles, Smith began to accelerate rapidly, but the movement completely defeated him.
The ball went through the inside edge and Smith was rooted to the crease as it hit mid-stump. Tongue was a combination of loose delivery and excellent delivery using both swing and seam at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Smith’s dismissal for 9-31 balls highlighted Australia’s struggles against England’s pace attack, giving Tongue the third wicket of the innings and further strengthening England’s grip on the opening day.
The dismissal concluded Australia’s difficult morning, with Language and Gus Atkinson removing consistent movement off the pitch. Smith left just 9 off 31 balls, unable to stabilize the innings which continued to lose pace. Australia slump to 72 for 4 by lunch, with England firmly on top. The pressure only intensified after the break Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey and Cameron Green He followed Smith back to the pavilion. Michael Neser’s 35 put up short resistance, but Tongue’s five-wicket haul saw Australia bundle out for just 152.
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Bowlers dominate the Fourth Ashes Test at the MCG between Australia and England
After winning the toss and electing to field, England’s bowlers wasted no time in taking advantage of the conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia found themselves on the back foot, losing key wickets in quick succession. Head of Travis and Jake Weatherald they fired cheaply, followed Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Osman Khawaja. Despite a brief resistance Alex Carey and Michael NeserAustralia collapsed to just 152 all out. Josh Dil As a star bowler, 5 wicketkeeper claims appeared Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes contributed with important achievements. The hosts struggled to contain England’s pace attack and their innings ended in just 45.2 overs.
It started with early setbacks as England’s pursuit Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser found form, dismissing three of England’s top orders in the first four overs. Zach Crawley, Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell fell for single digit scores. Although a spirited knock Harry BrookeEngland, who scored 41 goals from 34 balls, continued to limp by losing wickets at regular intervals. They were 83/8 in the 21st over, still 69 runs behind. Scott Boland and Michael Neser claimed the main gates with Ben Stokes He was fired by Neser. England’s batting has collapsed under pressure and with only two players left to bat, the visitors face an uphill battle in reply.
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