Australia seized control of the fourth Ashes Test as the Melbourne Cricket Ground saw 20 wickets tumble on day one, making it unlikely for the match to last for a full five days.
English captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat first, but Australia bowled out the visitors for just 152 runs in the first innings.
England’s bowling attack responded strongly, dismissing the entire Australian team for 110 runs, giving the hosts a modest 42-run lead.
By stumps on day one, Australia had reached 4 runs without any loss in their second innings, extending their overall lead to 46 runs.
The second day’s play will begin at 4:30 am (Pakistan Standard Time) on Saturday.
Australia already holds an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series. They defeated England by 8 wickets in the first Test, followed by another eight-wicket victory in the second Test at Brisbane.
They clinched the series with an 82-run win in the third Test at Adelaide.
The fifth and final Test between the two teams will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 4 to 8, 2026.