Melbourne: Australia were bowled out for 152 yet still secured a 42-run first-innings lead over England on a dramatic opening day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, as 20 wickets fell in frenetic fashion.

Australia reached stumps at 4-0 in their second innings, extending the overall lead to 46 runs after negotiating one tense over before close.

Record crowd, record Boxing Day wicket haul

Play unfolded before a world-record crowd for a single day of Test cricket at the MCG. An attendance of 94,199 surpassed the previous record of 93,013 set during the 2015 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand.

The 20 wickets that fell also set a new record for a Boxing Day Test, eclipsing the 18 wickets taken during the 1998 Ashes encounter. The all-time record remains 27 wickets, set during the 1888 Ashes Test at Lord’s.

Tongue leads England fightback

Josh Tongue produced a career-best spell of 5-45 as England capitalised on winning the toss and bowling first. In his eighth Test, Tongue struck early to leave Australia reeling at 72-4 by lunch.

Travis Head (12) and Jake Weatherald (10) fell cheaply as Australia slipped to 31-2 inside 10 overs. Exploiting sideways movement, Tongue then deceived Marnus Labuschagne (6), who edged to first slip.

A pivotal moment followed when captain Steve Smith lost his middle stump attempting to drive Tongue with the score on 51.

“He's an amazing player. I've grown up watching him,” Tongue said of Smith. “Getting him out is a very special feeling. It has been an amazing day of test-match cricket."

Australia bowled out despite lower-order resistance

Usman Khawaja’s attempt to steady the innings ended when the 39-year-old was caught behind off Gus Atkinson for 29 at 89-5. Alex Carey followed two runs later, clipping a catch to leg gully.

Michael Neser (35) and Cameron Green (17) added a vital 52-run stand before Green hesitated and was run out at 143-7. Tongue returned to dismiss Neser and Scott Boland (0) with the first two balls of his 12th over, leaving Australia all out for 152 and drawing loud cheers from England supporters.

England stumble to 110 in reply

England’s reply began disastrously, slumping to 8-3 inside five overs as Zak Crawley (5), Jacob Bethell (2) and Ben Duckett (2) departed cheaply.

Joe Root was then caught behind for a duck off Neser, leaving England 16-4 at the end of the eighth over. Harry Brook responded aggressively, charging Mitchell Starc’s next delivery and launching it for six over mid-off.

Brook struck 41 from 34 balls, including two fours and two sixes, and added 50 for the fifth wicket with Ben Stokes. The resistance ended when Boland (3-30) dismissed Brook, Jamie Smith (2) and Will Jacks (5) in three successive overs.

Neser then delivered a key breakthrough as Stokes (16) was caught at slip, and England were bowled out for 110 in 29.5 overs.

Australia edge ahead before close

England’s innings ended with enough time for Australia to face one over, which they survived to reach stumps at 4-0.

Reflecting on the day, Neser said the rapid fall of wickets made it “a bit of a whirlwind."

“I dreamed of this as a kid. It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it,” he said.

England without Archer for rest of series

England had named their team on Wednesday, confirming the loss of fast bowler Jofra Archer for the remainder of the series, including the fifth and final Test beginning on January 4 in Sydney.

Australia have already retained the Ashes after winning the first three Tests, achieving the feat in just 11 days of on-field action.