Ashes 2025-26: Josh Tongue ends 27-year wait with Boxing Day fifer

Josh Tongue scripted history with a landmark performance on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test of the 2025-26 Ashes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Tongue’s effort meant Australia were bowled out for 152 in 45.2 overs after the hosts were invited to bat first.

He also became the first English bowler after Darren Gough and Dean Headley in 1998 to claim a five-wicket haul at the MCG. No English bowler had been able to achieve this feat since a 27-year period and several Tests at the MCG in the meantime.

Tongue accounted for the wickets of Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Michael Neser and Scott Boland. Gus Atkinson was the second-leading wicket-taker with two wickets to his name, but Tongue was clearly the standout performer. He was acknowledged by a standing ovation from the English supporters at the venue.

Th ongoing match is Tongue’s second one in the series, having played the previous contest in Adelaide, where he ended up with five wickets across the two innings. England played much better cricket in the third fixture as compared to the first two Tests. However, they still ended up losing by 82 runs to to conceded an unassailable lead to the hosts.

England lost the first two clashes by eight wickets each. Although there were some notable individual performances, the visitors have failed to click as a team and their overall performance remains underwhelming. The series-opening match got over inside two days , while the second match went until day four but with barely any moments where England dominated.

With the series already lost, the tourists will aim to finish strong and avoid a clean sweep. The final match is scheduled to commence from the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4.