Melbourne, Dec. 26 -- England pacer Josh Tongue stole the limelight on Day 1 of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, producing a devastating spell that kept the hosts on the back foot, even as Australia managed a slender first-innings lead of 46 runs.
The day saw a flurry of wickets, with 20 wickets falling across both innings, making it one of the most thrilling openings to an Ashes Test in recent memory.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl, England struck early in Australia's innings. Tongue made immediate inroads, removing openers Jake Weatherald (10) and Marnus Labuschagne (6) to put the home side under pressure. Travis Head (12) had already fallen to Gus Atkinson, and Tongue's incisive lines, consistent pace, ...