Australia in Control on Boxing Day at MCG as England Collapses in Ashes Test
Neser took four wickets as Australia’s pace attack dismantled England in under 30 overs on day one of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Mitchell Starc initiated the bowling spell, followed by Neser, with Scott Boland nearly finishing the innings, and Jhye Richardson contributing four economical overs in his return to the side.
England's batting has been weak throughout the series, and day one saw a rapid flurry of wickets, with twenty falling in total. Despite the intense action, the match remains in the balance.
Australia had already secured the Ashes before Boxing Day, so an England victory here would be a minor consolation. The match attracted a record crowd of about 94,000 spectators at the MCG, many of whom headed to the bar at tea.
The Boxing Day Test in 2025 was noted for its structural similarity to the 2010 Boxing Day Test, though with a contrasting outcome. Australia leads the series 3-0 going into this fourth Test.
