Josh Tongue described his career-best figures of 5-45 as "what dreams are made of" during an enthralling opening day of the fourth Ashes Test on Boxing Day.
On a crazy day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 20 wickets fell, but it was Australia who held the advantage, leading England by 46 runs after bowling the tourists out for 110.
Indeed, the 20 wickets to fall is the most on the opening day of an Ashes Test since 1909 and surpassed the 19 of the first day of the first Test of this series in Perth.
And after winning the toss and putting Australia into bat, Tongue, who missed the first two Tests, led from the front as he dismantled the hosts' top order.
His dismissals included Jake Weatherald (10), Marnus Labuschagne (six) and Steve Smith (nine),
before ending Australia's innings with the wicket of Scott Boland (0).
Indeed, the last England player to take more wickets in a men's Test innings at the MCG than Tongue was Dean Headley (6-60 against Australia) in December 1998.
But Tongue also continued his impressive record against Australia's Smith, having dismissed him in all four first-class innings that they have faced each other.
Tongue admitted he wasn't aware of his record, but told TNT Sports: "I think I've got him out a couple of times now. I think I got him out this year in The Hundred as well.
"It's what dreams are made of really. Growing up as a kid, I always wanted to play in the Ashes, and especially away from home as well.
5-45 - The last @englandcricket player to take more wickets in a men's Test innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground than Josh Tongue (5-45) today was Dean Headley (6-60 vs Aus) in December 1998. Exceptional.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/KXoxLQpEFO
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) December 26, 2025
"My family are here as well, so it's obviously more special. I just can't really explain how I'm feeling. I always like to see the ball nipping back.
"I'm always naturally trying to get the ball to go away from a right-hander, just like the [Marnus] Labuschagne wicket.
"We had similar plans last week in Adelaide. I feel like with my angle, sort of angling it back in and being brave with that length as well.
"I feel like when I'm at my best, I'm hitting that fuller length and making sure I'm hitting the pitch hard as well and frankly got the nip.
"Getting Labuschagne out and then that one to get Smith out, coming back in, it was a nice feeling. "
But despite Tongue's heroics, which saw Australia bowled out for 152, England's batters crumbled yet again as Harry Brook top scored with a knock of just 41.
England have already lost the series having seen Australia take an unassailable 3-0 lead, with the tourists hoping to avoid an Ashes whitewash for the first time since 2013-14.
And having been watched by a record 93,199 strong crowd inside the MCG, Tongue remains confident that England can get themselves on the board in the series.
"100%. We come tomorrow morning, we put the ball in the right areas again, like we did this morning, and we can get them three or four down in the first hour," Tongue added.
"But it's making sure we do exactly what we did this morning. Fingers crossed, we can take a few wickets tomorrow and then chase the runs down.
"I feel like the group of bowlers that we've got is a very exciting group. They're at a good pace, nip the ball, swing the ball.
"I feel like when anyone's on a good day, it could have been [Brydon] Carse, it could have been Gus Atkinson]. I thought Gus bowled really well as well. So on our days, I think we're a very good attack. "
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