The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground witnessed a moment of pure fast-bowling brilliance when England pacer Josh Tongue produced a delivery that instantly became a contender for the ball of the series. On a stage known for iconic Ashes moments, Tongue’s spell stood out as he rattled Australia’s top order and sent shockwaves across social media.
England opted to bowl first and made immediate inroads into the Australian batting lineup. Early wickets put the hosts under pressure, with disciplined lines and relentless pace creating constant uncertainty. As Australia slipped into trouble, the responsibility fell on captain Steve Smith to stabilize the innings and steer his side out of danger.
Smith looked composed at the crease initially, negotiating a few testing deliveries and attempting to settle in. However, England’s bowlers maintained their intensity, refusing to offer any easy scoring opportunities. The pressure kept building, and it felt like a breakthrough was only a matter of time.
That decisive moment arrived when Josh Tongue ran in and delivered a fuller-length ball outside off stump. The delivery pitched perfectly and jagged back sharply, sneaking between bat and pad before crashing into the stumps. Smith had no answer, standing stunned as his off stump was sent flying, departing for a single-digit score.
WHAT A DELIVERY!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2025
Steve Smith looks on puzzled after this peach from Josh Tongue.#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/NpkEgGxOQR
The dismissal sparked an immediate reaction on social media, with fans and experts hailing it as a “dream delivery” and a strong contender for the best ball of the Ashes series. Clips of the dismissal were widely shared, with many praising Tongue’s control, movement, and courage to attack such a high-profile batter.
Moments like these underline the timeless appeal of Test cricket, where a single ball can change the course of a match and etch itself into Ashes folklore. Josh Tongue’s stunning delivery not only pegged Australia back but also reaffirmed how fast bowling, executed to perfection, remains one of the most thrilling sights in the game.