Australia and England’s latest Ashes clash delivered history before tea on Boxing Day, as the Melbourne Cricket Ground witnessed the biggest crowd ever for a single day of cricket. A staggering 93,442 fans packed into the MCG, shattering the previous record of 93,013 set during the 2015 ODI World Cup final. The crowd eclipsed the all-time mark for a day of Test cricket, surpassing the 91,112 who attended day one of the 2013 Ashes Test at the same venue.

 It has also now been registered as the second-biggest crowd to flock for a single day of Test cricket in the format’s history. And the crowd was rewarded instantly. After winning the toss on a green, bowler-friendly pitch, England unleashed a ruthless pace attack under overcast skies to skittle Australia for just 152. Josh Tongue led the carnage with a superb 5-45, silencing large sections of the home crowd and igniting England’s travelling Barmy Army. Australia never recovered from the early blows.

Travis Head, Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne were gone cheaply, while Steve Smith was bowled for nine as Tongue sent his middle stump cartwheeling. Usman Khawaja (29), Alex Carey (20) and Cameron Green (17) offered brief resistance, but Michael Neser’s top score of 35 only delayed the inevitable. The record-breaking turnout has sparked hopes of an even bigger milestone — the highest cumulative attendance for an Ashes Test.

That mark currently stands at 271,865 from the 2013 series, and MCC chief executive Stuart Fox believes it could fall in the coming days with strong crowds expected on days two and three.England, already beaten in the series and desperate to salvage pride after losing the urn in just 11 days of play, finally found a moment to celebrate.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)