In the Boxing Day Test, England achieved their first significant breakthrough of the Ashes series by dismissing four Australian batsmen for 72 runs in the first session. Josh Tongue excelled, taking three wickets, including the crucial scalp of Steve Smith, who scored just nine runs. Gus Atkinson also contributed by claiming the wicket of Travis Head, while Marnus Labuschagne and Jake Weatherald fell to Tongue’s bowling. Ben Stokes opted to bowl first, hoping to capitalize on the conditions, but Brydon Carse struggled early on, conceding runs and extras.
