Ashes 4th Test Day 1, and it was the Boxing Day test match, and the things we have seen are just beyond words to explain. We saw a total of 20 wickets fall on the first day, and moving onto the second day, we will see the second innings start, and this is all about what an entertaining Boxing Day it was for the fans. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was the venue, and it also recorded the Biggest Cricket Crowd in MCG History.
The England team captain, Ben Stokes, won the toss and decided that his team would bowl first. As they announced earlier, the team made two changes. Injured Jofra Archer was replaced by Gus Atkinson, and Ollie Pope was replaced by Jacob Bethell. Australia was also without Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon. Michael Neser got a place in the team as the fourth pacer for Australia playing the Boxing Day test.
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Ashes 4th Test Day 1: 20 wickets on the Boxing Day
Australia lost the first wicket of Travis Head on the score of 27, and since then, the innings fell apart. Michael Neser was their top scorer as he scored 35 runs, as we saw a 52-run partnership between him and Cameron Green. Australia were all out on 152 runs in the 46th over. Josh Tongue was England’s best bowler as he took a five-wicket haul, and his figures were 5/45. He dismissed the Australian top order of Jake Weatherald, Labuschagne, and Steven Smith. Josh also got out of Michael Neser.
It looked like England would put up a fight and at least save the match by scoring runs in the first innings, but it did not happen. They lost four wickets quickly, and at one point, they were 16/4. Harry Brook and Ben Stokes tried to steady the innings, but they could only add 50 runs to the fifth wicket. England were all out for just 110 runs, and Australia had a lead of 42 runs. Michael Neser was the best bowler Australia had had if he picked up 4/45. Starc got two, and Boland got three.
Australia came into bat as they sent Travis Head and night watch Scott Boland. Basically, Scott Boland just batted one over and scored four runs. On stumps, the score was 4/0 for Australia as they lead by 46 runs. It was a day for the bowlers and surely for Michael Neser too, as he added vital runs with the bat and also took four England wickets. It is quite strange that on day 2 we already have the second innings starting.