Overview
- Australia were bowled out for 152 and England for 110 on day one at the MCG, with pronounced seam movement rewarding pace.
- England’s Josh Tongue took five wickets, while Michael Neser top-scored for Australia with 35 and then claimed 4 for 45.
- MCG curator Matt Page said he set out to mirror last year’s surface and left 10mm of grass, three millimetres more than previously.
- Stuart Broad, Glenn McGrath and Alastair Cook said the pitch did too much and was unfair on batters, with Brett Lee also questioning the balance.
- Neser said the surface could flatten as it hardens, and The Roar noted it was the first time since 1909 that both sides were dismissed on an Ashes opening day.