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Australia have kept their domination in the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 against England. After beating the English side in the first two Tests, the hosts continued from where they left in the third Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
On the opening day of the Boxing-Day Test, Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first, with captain Pat Cummins returning to the team after missing out on the Adelaide Test due to a COVDI-19 scare.
The decision went completely in favour of the hosts, as England yet again witnessed a batting collapse. The Aussie bowling attack kept the things in control, bundling out the visitors for a mere 185.
Captain Joe Root was the only major highlight in England’s first innings, as he scored another half-century on the Australian soil. Root scored the exact 50 before Aussie paceman Mitchell Starc got rid of him. Jonny Bairstow was the second-highest scorer with 35 off 75 balls.
Captain Cummins and senior spinner Nathan Lyon were the pick of the bowlers for Australia. Cummins bagged a three-wicket haul for 36 in 15 overs, whereas Lyon took three scalps in 14.1 overs. Similarly, Starc picked up two wickets for 54 in 15 overs. Debutant Scott Boland also bagged one wicket in the match.
Australia, in their first innings, scored 61/1, with the home team losing David Warner 38 just before the officials announced the stumps. Marcus Harris was unbeaten at 20 off 51 balls, as Australia are trailing by 124 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Great Day 1. Congrats to @sboland24 cap #463 and a first Test wicket to go with it! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/NtqY33bteL
— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) December 26, 2021
"Postman Pat, because Cummins delivers," wins the nickname wars. Areas, as they say. #ashes
— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) December 26, 2021
Right now, at 2-9, Pat Cummins’ Test average of 21.04 is bettered by only three bowlers in the past 50 years:
Malcolm Marshall 20.94
Joel Garner 20.97
Curtly Ambrose 20.99(min 100 wickets)#Ashes
— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) December 26, 2021
I knew it was going to be a bad day for England after this start !!! @FoxCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/y9AqCffTmQ
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 26, 2021
Three for Captain Cummins! Right before the break Malan is gone. He’s edged it to Warner at first slip. Aussies are again having a day! #Ashes
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) December 26, 2021
A dominant day for Australia as stumps is called #Ashes
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2021
Pat Cummins' first session 🙌 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/gS276VTSLj
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2021
A terrific performance from Australia as they bowl out England for 185.
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon finish with three wickets each.
Watch the #Ashes live on https://t.co/CPDKNx77KV (in select regions) 📺#AUSvENG | #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/n51J9IIdVn
— ICC (@ICC) December 26, 2021
After missing the second Test Pat Cummins has become the first bowler to take 10 wickets for the series
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) December 26, 2021
It’s nice to be here at this special time of year to celebrate our lord and saviour: Pat Cummins.
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) December 26, 2021
https://twitter.com/KathLoughnan/status/1475024144353824768