Australia seize handy lead after Josh Tongue five-for on 20-wicket day

Australia 152 (Neser 35; Tongue 5-45, Atkinson 2-28) & 4/0 lead England 110 (Brook 41; Neser 4-45, Boland 3-30) by 46 runs

Amid recriminations from another Ashes defeat and the fallout from embarrassing off-field distractions, England briefly found Christmas cheer at a packed MCG on Australian cricket’s biggest day. But, as has been the pattern this series, they failed to capitalise.

By stumps on a frenetic opening day of the Boxing Day Test, England once again found themselves under pressure, trailing by 46 runs after conceding a first-innings deficit of 42 on a bowler-friendly surface.

A ground-record crowd of 94,119 — surpassing attendance at the 2015 World Cup final — witnessed an astonishing 20 wickets fall, the most on the opening day of an Ashes Test at the MCG since 1901–02.

Reminiscent of the Perth Test, the match moved at warp speed on a pitch certain to attract scrutiny. With 10mm of grass left by curator Matt Page, seaming conditions made batting treacherous. Usman Khawaja was the only batter to face more than 50 deliveries, while no England batter survived beyond 40 balls, and only three reached double figures.

England began brightly after winning the toss, with Josh Tongue claiming a superb 5 for 45 as Australia were skittled for 152 in just 45.2 overs — their third-shortest innings in a home Ashes Test. Yet the modest total soon looked formidable as England collapsed to 16 for 4, Joe Root departing for a 15-ball duck.

Harry Brook briefly reignited England’s hopes with a breathtaking counterattack, top-scoring with 41 off 34 balls. Dancing down the track and embracing the Bazball ethos, Brook lifted the tempo in a febrile atmosphere, but his audacity proved short-lived.

Recalled allrounder Michael Neser and MCG favourite Scott Boland then took control, combining for seven wickets as England were dismissed shortly before stumps. Australia safely negotiated the final overs to close on 4 without loss, tightening their grip on the contest. (ESPNcricinfo)