Overview
- After winning the toss, England routed Australia for 152 in 45.2 overs as Josh Tongue claimed 5-45, removing Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
- The hosts then bowled England out for 110 inside 29.5 overs, with Michael Neser taking 4-45 and Scott Boland 3-30 to establish a 46-run advantage.
- Australia closed on 4-0 after one over of their second innings, capping a day on which 20 wickets fell — the first such Day 1 in an Ashes Test since 1950.
- Tongue became the first England bowler to take a Test five-for at the MCG since 1998, while Neser also top-scored for Australia with 35.
- A record MCG cricket crowd of 94,199 watched as pace bowling dominated; England were without Jofra Archer, replaced by Gus Atkinson.