Ash 2025-26 [WATCH]: Josh Tongue stuns Steve Smith with unplayable delivery on day 1 of Boxing Day Test | AUS vs ENG

England struck a decisive early blow Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test as Josh Tong produced a moment of magic to sack Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith at the MCG. After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Ben Stokes’ The decision paid immediate dividends, with England’s pace attack taking advantage of favorable conditions. Australia struggled to establish themselves at the crease as wickets fell regularly in the opening session. Among these dismissals, Smith’s wicket stood out as the defining moment for Tea on Day 1.

Ashes 2025-26: Josh Tongue castles Steve Smith at the MCG with an absolute jaffa

Tong produced a moment of first-class fast bowling to get rid of Smith in Australia’s first innings of the fourth Ashes Test. Tongue bowled full and to a penetrating length, causing the ball to bounce back sharply from the surface, aiming for the stumps. Smith, wanting to break the chains, committed to a booming drive early on, but the movement defeated him completely.

The ball whizzed past the inside edge, sending Smith into the crease and crashing into the middle stump. It was a combination of a loose shot and an excellent delivery, with Tongue exploiting both the swing and the seam at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Smith’s dismissal for 9 off 31 balls underlined Australia’s struggle against England’s pace attack, and it gave Tongue his third wicket of the innings, further tightening England’s grip on the opening day.

The dismissal summed up Australia’s difficult morning, with Tongue and Guus Atkinson extracting consistent movement off the pitch. Smith departed for just 9 off 31 balls, unable to steady an innings that continued to lose momentum. By lunch Australia had fallen to 72 for 4, with England firmly on top. After the break the pressure only increased Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey And Cameron Green followed Smith back to the pavilion. Michael Neser’s 35 offered brief resistance but Tongue’s five-wicket haul saw Australia bundled out for just 152.

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Bowlers dominance in the Fourth Ashes Test at MCG between Australia and England

After winning the toss and electing to play, England’s bowlers wasted no time in exploiting the conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia fell behind early and lost important wickets in quick succession. Travis Head And Jake Weatherald were fired cheaply, followed by Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith And Usman Khawaja. Despite brief resistance from Alex Carey And Michael NeserAustralia collapsed to just 152 all out. Josh Tong emerged as the star bowler and claimed 5 wickets, while Guus Atkinson And Ben Stokes has also contributed to crucial breakthroughs. The hosts struggled to counter England’s pace attack and their innings ended in just 45.2 overs.

England’s pursuit began with early setbacks such as Mitchell Starc And Michael Neser form, with three of England’s best players dismissed within the first four overs. Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett And Jacob Bethel fell for single digit scores. Despite a heavy blow from Harry Brookwho scored 41 off 34 balls, England continued to falter, losing wickets at regular intervals. By the 21st over they were 83/8, still trailing by 69 runs. Scott Boland And Michael Neser claimed key wickets, with Ben Stokes fired by Neser. England’s batting crumbled under the pressure, and with only two players left to bat, the visitors face an uphill battle in their response.

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