Australia reeling on 72-4 at lunch as England strike in 4th Ashes TestListen to this articleSteve Smith is bowled by Josh Tongue on the first day of the fourth Ashes TestMELBOURNE - Josh Tongue took three wickets as England tore through Australia's top order Friday on a bowler-friendly deck to leave the hosts in disarray at lunch on day one of the fourth Ashes Test. Usman Khawaja was unbeaten on 21 after coming in at number five with Adelaide century-maker Alex Carey not out nine. Australia have already retained the Ashes after crushing eight-wicket victories in Perth and Brisbane and an 82-run win in Adelaide, with England desperate to restore pride in Melbourne. Missing injured pace spearhead Jofra Archer, they reinstated Atkinson after he was axed for Adelaide and he opened the attack. Smith and Khawaja, who share more than 200 Tests of experience between them, began to stabilise the innings before Tongue struck again to remove the Australian captain and leave England in control.

Source: Bangkok Post December 26, 2025 03:40 UTC