Josh Tongue has ripped through Australia’s top order in a damaging burst with the Kookaburra after England won the toss and chose to bowl first in the Boxing Day Ashes Test at the MCG.
The Nottinghamshire seamer knocked over Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith in an inspired spell of 3-24 from eight overs on Friday morning, wreaking havoc in overcast conditions on a grassy deck.
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Australia was 4-72 at lunch, with veteran Usman Khawaja (21*) and wicketkeeper Alex Carey (9*) unbeaten in the middle.
Openers Travis Head and Weatherald put together 27 after England captain Ben Stokes sent the opposition in before seamer Gus Atkinson unearthed an early breakthrough, with the South Australian chopping on for 12. The dismissal prompted a brief collapse of 3-7, with Weatherald strangled down the leg side and Labuschagne edging towards the slips cordon, both falling to Tongue.
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Late in the morning session, the 28-year-old snared the prized scalp of stand-in captain Smith, bowled through the gate for 9, to leave the Australians in dire straits at 4-51. It was the third time Tongue has removed the New South Welshman in Tests across three innings.
Earlier, Australian seamers Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson were recalled for the Boxing Day Test, replacing the injured Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
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