Table of Contents
The fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground turned into a dramatic two-day affair as a lively green surface dominated proceedings, producing 20 wickets on the opening day and setting up a contest that swung wildly despite its short duration.
Also Read: Record crowd, rising losses: Why Cricket Australia is worried?
While the seam-friendly conditions kept batters on edge throughout, the constant ebb and flow ensured fans remained engrossed. In the end, England emerged victorious, ending a 15-year wait for a Test win in Australia and scripting a memorable Boxing Day triumph.
Tongue leads England’s bowling onslaught
After winning the toss, Ben Stokes opted to bowl, a decision that paid immediate dividends. Gus Atkinson began with an incisive new-ball spell, removing Travis Head early and keeping the run rate in check. Although Brydon Carse struggled for rhythm initially, Josh Tongue once again rose to the occasion, spearheading England’s attack with pace and precision.
Tongue claimed a superb five-wicket haul from 11.2 overs — the first by an England bowler at the MCG since 1998 — dismissing three of Australia’s top four batters. His spell included a beauty that angled in to shatter Steve Smith’s stumps. Tongue returned later to remove Michael Neser and Scott Boland, bowling Australia out for 152.
Australia strike back despite modest total
Despite the low score, Australia responded strongly with the ball. Mitchell Starc struck early in England’s reply, dismissing both openers to trigger a collapse. Neser backed him up brilliantly, claiming four wickets — including Jacob Bethell, Joe Root for a duck, Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse — to finish with figures of 4 for 45. Scott Boland chipped in with key scalps as England were bundled out for 110, giving Australia a 42-run first-innings lead.
Australia returned to bat late on Day 1 and survived a nervy final over, but the respite was short-lived.
Second-innings collapse hands England control
England’s pacers hunted in a pack on the second morning. Atkinson removed nightwatchman Boland early before Australia’s batting once again crumbled. Travis Head top-scored with a fighting 46 off 67 balls, while Steve Smith added an unbeaten 24 as wickets fell around him. A brief stand with Cameron Green helped push Australia to 132.
Carse starred with 4 for 34, supported by Stokes’ 3 for 24, while Tongue picked up two more wickets. England were set a target of 175 to seal a historic victory.
Chasing 175 on a treacherous surface, England made a positive start through Ben Duckett, who struck a fluent 34 before falling to a classic Starc yorker. Brydon Carse, promoted to No. 3, looked to attack but was dismissed with the score at 65.
On Ashes debut, Jacob Bethell played a crucial role, sharing a 47-run stand with Zak Crawley and later adding valuable runs with Joe Root. Bethell fell for a composed 40, while Root and Stokes were dismissed soon after, keeping the contest alive.
Vice-captain Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, however, held their nerve to guide England home with four wickets in hand, sealing a landmark win.
The victory marked Joe Root’s first Test win in Australia after 18 matches and Ben Stokes’ first after 13 appearances Down Under, bringing England’s long wait to an end in unforgettable fashion.
