MELBOURNE: Australia ended the first day of fourth Ashes Test on top with a record 20 wickets falling in front of a huge crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
Australia nightwatchman Scott Boland was four not out with Travis Head yet to score as the hosts went to stumps at four for no loss in their second innings, carrying a 46-run lead over England.
With England bowled out for 110 in reply to Australia’s first innings 152, it was the highest number of wickets in a single day at the MCG since a record 25 fell in the 1902 Ashes.
Australia were all out at meagre 152 on day one of the fourth Ashes test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today against England.
England won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Star English pacer Josh Tongue took 5-45 to lead England’s bowlers in front of 93,442, a record crowd for a cricket match at the MCG, eclipsing the 93,013 at the 2015 World Cup final.
Australia lost their last three wickets for no runs and the last four for nine.
All-rounder Cameron Green was run out for 17, triggering the late collapse. Mitchell Starc (one), Michael Neser (35) and Scott Boland (0), all fell quickly after.
Earlier, Mitchell Starc took three wickets to grind down a dogged England as Australia wrapped up an 82-run win on day five of the third Ashes test to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
Chasing a world record 435 runs to win, England battled bravely into the second session at Adelaide Oval but folded for 352, with Scott Boland taking the last wicket of Josh Tongue before tea.
Much of the talk in the build-up to the Ashes had been the age profile of the Australia squad but Starc said the veterans had proved their worth.
“We do laugh at some of the comments that get back to us about how old we are,” the 35-year-old added.
“I’m sure experience plays a part going through your highs and lows …. That plays a big part in all of this.”
England have now lost the Ashes in three matches for the fourth consecutive tour, while losing 16 of their last 18 tests in the country.
Ashes series so far
Australia lead the five-test series 3-0 and after the third test won at Adelaide.
Cummins said lessons had been learned from that series.
“We probably let a couple of those (winning opportunities) slide, particularly at Headingley and The Oval,” he said.
“You just can’t let them go.”
Also read: Mitchell Starc Reaches 100 Ashes Wickets in Opening Test vs England
