20 Wickets in 75.1 Overs: Boxing Day 2025 Produces Incredible Ashes Moment

Boxing Day Ashes Test 2025: A Record-Breaking Opening Day

MELBOURNE: The Boxing Day Ashes Test of 2025 delivered one of the most astonishing opening days in the long history of the rivalry, as a staggering 20 wickets fell in frantic fashion at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. The iconic Test lived up to its reputation, with fast bowlers dominating throughout and leaving the contest finely balanced after a dramatic day that swung wildly between both sides.

Boxing Day Bowling Frenzy: 20 Wickets Fall at the MCG

Australia were bowled out for 152 in their first innings before responding emphatically to dismiss England for just 110, ensuring relentless action across all three sessions of this memorable encounter. The extraordinary scenes unfolded in front of a record crowd of 94,199, the largest ever for a cricket match at the MCG, surpassing the previous record set during the 2015 World Cup final on This Day.

England captain Ben Stokes made the correct call at the toss on This Day morning, opting to bowl first on a green-tinged pitch under heavy cloud cover. His pace attack immediately exploited the favourable conditions, with Josh Tongue leading the charge in impressive fashion. The right-arm seamer claimed 5 for 45, triggering a top-order collapse that left Australia struggling to build partnerships on this dramatic Day.

Boxing Day Collapse: England Crumble After Early Promise

However, England’s reply proved even more disastrous in this Boxing Day Test. Australia’s bowlers responded with ruthless precision, reducing the visitors to 16 for 4 and never allowing them to recover. Ben Duckett, enduring a difficult tour, was dismissed for two, lobbing a simple catch to Neser at mid-on off Starc. Neser then removed Jacob Bethell, who edged behind to Carey.

The collapse intensified as Zak Crawley was caught in the slips by Smith off Starc, followed quickly by Joe Root, who edged Neser to Carey, plunging England into deep trouble on Boxing Day afternoon. Only Harry Brook offered meaningful resistance, counter-attacking aggressively with several sixes off Starc and Neser.

Travis Head showed brief attacking intent but fell for 12, chopping on off Gus Atkinson. Opening partner Jake Weatherald followed soon after, edging down the leg side for 10 in Tongue’s first over. Tongue then struck again, removing Marnus Labuschagne for six, caught sharply at slip by Joe Root, as wickets continued to tumble on Boxing Day.

Boxing Day Drama Continues: Boland and Neser Lead the Charge

Brook combined with Stokes to add a crucial 50-run partnership that briefly halted the carnage. However, Scott Boland struck decisively, trapping Brook lbw for 41. Boland then tore through the lower order, bowling Jamie Smith for two and having Will Jacks caught behind within the space of 10 deliveries, reigniting the Boxing Day drama.

The experienced Boland continued his remarkable Boxing Day record at the MCG, where he famously claimed 6 for 7 against England four years earlier. When Stokes edged Neser to Smith in the slips for 16, England’s innings came to an abrupt end. Neser finished with 4 for 45, while Starc and Boland applied relentless pressure throughout the Boxing Day Test.

Boxing Day Stumps Summary: Australia Take Early Control

At stumps on Boxing Day, Australia reached 4 without loss, with nightwatchman Boland unbeaten on four alongside Travis Head, who had yet to face a delivery. The hosts held a 46-run lead heading into day two of the Boxing Day Ashes Test.

Australia entered the match already assured of retaining the Ashes after victories in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, while England arrived under heavy scrutiny following criticism of their preparation and off-field distractions during the series.

Why Boxing Day 2025 Will Be Remembered in Ashes History

With both teams suffering dramatic batting collapses, the Boxing Day Test of 2025 produced one of the most extraordinary opening days in Ashes history — a contest defined by relentless pace bowling, shifting momentum, and a reminder of why Boxing Day cricket at the MCG remains one of the sport’s greatest spectacles.