A rare embarrassing record for Australia at home in the Ashes: all out for 152 runs. In the first innings of the Melbourne Test, Australia was bowled out in just 45.2 overs. In the history of Ashes series at home, Australia has been dismissed in so few overs only twice—both times in Melbourne: once in 1902 and again in 2010.
Led by Steve Smith, Australia managed to score just 152 runs in the first innings. While the total isn’t very high, England’s batsmen still face a challenging test on the grass-covered pitch at the MCG against Australia’s bowlers.
The main architect of Australia’s batting collapse was England pacer Josh Tong. He took five crucial wickets for just 45 runs. His victims included Jack Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Michael Neser, and Scott Boland.
Tong’s dominance, especially over Steve Smith, was remarkable. Bowling against Smith in five innings so far, this English pacer has managed to dismiss him every single time.
