Josh Tongue extends incredible streak against Steve Smith as he cleans him up with a beauty

England fast bowler Josh Tongue once again dismissed Australia star batter Steve Smith in the first innings of the fourth Test between the two teams in Melbourne on Friday, December 26. The right-arm fast bowler has dismissed the Australian stand-in captain in every innings he has bowled to him across all formats.

England made the most of their decision to bowl first after winning the toss. Their pace attack put Australia under pressure and bundled them out for just 152 on Day 1. Tongue picked up a five-wicket haul, while Gus Atkinson claimed two wickets. Captain Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse also chipped in with one wicket each.

Josh Tongue Continues Dominance Over Steve Smith Across Formats

Josh Tongue continues to enjoy strong success against Steve Smith. The England fast bowler has managed to get him out every time he has bowled to the Australian batter. In Test cricket, Smith has faced 69 balls from Tongue and has been dismissed three times, scoring only 35 runs.

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Tongue has dismissed Smith in county cricket, twice at Lord’s during the 2023 Ashes, once in The Hundred, and again in the Melbourne Test.

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Smith’s form in the ongoing series has also been below his usual level. He has scored 112 runs from five innings, with only one half-century. After missing the third Test in Adelaide due to fitness concerns, his return in the Melbourne Test did not bring the impact Australia were hoping for.

Australia Bowled Out For 152 After Early Promise

Openers Travis Head and Jake Weatherald added 27 runs before Gus Atkinson dismissed Weatherald for 12. That wicket triggered a sharp slide, with Australia losing three wickets for just seven runs. Josh Tongue removed both Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne during the collapse.

Tongue then delivered a major blow late in the morning session by dismissing Steve Smith for 9, leaving Australia struggling at 51/4. After lunch, Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey added 38 runs in an attempt to steady the innings.

However, Khawaja edged Atkinson after England overturned the on-field decision using Snicko, while Carey was caught at leg slip following a plan set by captain Ben Stokes.

Cameron Green and Michael Neser then put together a 52-run stand for the seventh wicket. The partnership ended when Green was run out in a mix-up, with Brydon Carse hitting the stumps. That sparked another collapse, as Australia lost four wickets for nine runs, with Tongue cleaning up the tail.

Steve Smith Could Have Defended It - Glenn McGrath

Former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath praised Josh Tongue’s delivery that dismissed Steve Smith. Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, McGrath stated that Smith could have defended it despite the fuller length.

"That seamed back quite a bit. Straight through the defence. Steve Smith could have defended it, but it was a full-ish length. Josh Tongue is going well. There is a bit in this pitch which both captains thought there would be," Mcgrath said.

Also read: Nathan Lyon’s Test career over after fresh Ashes injury? Australia coach gives official update