Ashes bloodiest openings: When day one belonged to the bowlers
Updated On: 27 December, 2025 09:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Rohan Koli
With both England and Australia getting bowled out on the opening day at MCG on Friday, mid-day revisits previous Tests involving the two nations where 20 or more wickets fell on the first day
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25 wickets
1902: Melbourne
Result: Australia won by 229 runs
Twenty-five wickets on Day One of the second Ashes Test in 1902 remains the world record for the most scalps on the opening day of any Test. The New Year’s Test at the MCG was played under challenging conditions, with Australia being bundled out for a mere 112, thanks to six and four-wicket hauls by pacer Sydney Barnes and spinner Colin Blythe, respectively. England’s response was even worse as they collapsed for just 61, with spinner Monty Noble claiming 7-17. Four visiting batters were dismissed for ducks. It was the same old story for the hosts’ batters as they were reduced to 48-5 on Day One.
20 wickets
1894-95: Melbourne
Result: England won by 94 runs
The second Test of the series in Melbourne, played from December 29 to January 3, produced a masterclass from the Australian bowlers on Day One with England skittling out for just 75, thanks to 5-32 by pacer Charlie Turner. The Australian response was equally shocking, with the hosts losing the first three wickets for just 14 and the last seven wickets for 70 to get bowled out for 123, as right-arm pacer Tom Richardson claimed a five-wicket haul.
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