The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England ignited controversy on Day 1. This followed a disputed no-ball decision involving Brydon Carse and Mitchell Starc at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
Starc was dismissed for one run when he mistimed a lofted drive off Carse’s bowling. He offered a straightforward catch to Ben Stokes at mid-off. However, television replays appeared to show Carse overstepping the bowling crease.
Third umpire Ahsan Raza reviewed the delivery as Starc made his way back to the pavilion. After checking the footage, he ruled the ball legal, allowing the dismissal to stand. The decision immediately triggered backlash from fans and commentators.
Former Australia opener Mark Waugh expressed clear disbelief on commentary. He said he could not see any part of Carse’s foot behind the line at the point of delivery. He felt the evidence did not support the on-field call.
Opening with wayward Brydon Carse epitomises England’s awful planning
Read @swildecricket's analysis of day one of the fourth Ashes Test from Melbourne 🔽https://t.co/9huC84MBTE
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) December 26, 2025Ex-spinner Kerry O’Keeffe echoed those concerns. He described the decision as extremely marginal. He suggested it detracted from what was otherwise smart tactical bowling and captaincy from England.
Despite the controversy, the match itself produced a dramatic opening day. Australia were dismissed for 152, but England collapsed even further and managed only 110 in reply. Australia ended the day with a 46-run lead.
A remarkable 20 wickets fell on the first day, underlining the difficulty of batting on a lively surface. It marked the first time since the 1901–02 Ashes series in Australia that 20 wickets fell on Day 1 of a Test.
Read: Ashes 4th Test: England Bowled Out for 110, Trail Australia by 42 at MCG
England’s bowlers made early inroads after winning the toss. Josh Tongue led the attack with a five-wicket haul. He recorded the best Boxing Day figures by an England bowler at the MCG since Ian Botham in 1986. Tongue also became the first England bowler since 1998 to claim a five-for at the venue.
As the Test progresses, the disputed no-ball call remains a major talking point. This adds another layer of tension to an already dramatic Ashes contest.
