A record 94,199 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground witnessed an extraordinary day of Test cricket as 20 wickets fell on a lively pitch. Australia eventually edged England after a chaotic final session, leaving the tourists all out for 110 and trailing by 46 runs with four second-innings wickets lost.
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl, a decision vindicated by Josh Tongue's five-wicket haul that dismissed Australia for 152 before tea. Tongue finished with five for 45, exploiting the movement on offer to trouble the Australian batters throughout their innings.
However, England's reply was disastrous. They slumped to 16 for four inside eight overs, with Michael Neser taking four for 45 to bowl them out for 110 in 29.5 overs. Harry Brook top-scored with 41 from 34 balls, but no other batter reached 30. Australia then reached four without loss at stumps, extending their lead to 46 runs.
Scott Boland, who took three for 30 in England's innings, survived the final over as an auxiliary opener, edging the last ball for four to the delight of the home crowd. The day's play evoked memories of the 1901-02 Ashes Test at the same ground, when more than 20 wickets fell on the opening day.
