England finally broke their long-standing winless run in Australia, producing a remarkable four-wicket victory in an extraordinary two-day Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The result not only avoided an Ashes whitewash but also ended England’s 18-match Test drought on Australian soil, leaving the series score at 3-1 heading into the final Test in Sydney.
In one of the most chaotic and memorable matches in Ashes history, England chased down a target of 175 on the second evening, thriving in conditions that turned the contest into a bowler-dominated spectacle. On a pitch offering extreme assistance to seamers, England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach finally found a setting perfectly suited to its risk-heavy philosophy.
England reached their target in just under 33 overs, delighting thousands of travelling supporters who had endured a punishing tour until now. It was England’s first Test win in Australia since 2011 and came after the series had already been lost inside three matches.
The opportunity arose when England dismissed Australia for just 132 in their second innings. Brydon Carse led the way with figures of 4-34, while captain Ben Stokes chipped in with 3-24, compensating for the loss of Gus Atkinson, who is now a doubt for the fifth Test after suffering a hamstring injury.
Adding to the surreal nature of the match, Carse was promoted to number three as a pinch-hitter during the chase, following a blistering opening stand of 51 in just 6.5 overs by Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett — England’s highest opening partnership of the series.
Crawley struck 37 and Duckett 34, while debutant Jacob Bethell justified his selection with a composed and classy 40. The winning runs came off Harry Brook’s thigh pad, triggering a deafening roar from the England supporters packed into one corner of the vast MCG.
This was only the 27th Test in history to finish inside two days and the second two-day match of this Ashes series — something not seen in Ashes cricket for more than a century before this tour. The pitch, covered with heavy grass, heavily favoured bowlers and sparked debate over whether it was suitable for Test cricket. While the quality of batting was inconsistent, the drama and theatre were undeniable.
Nearly 200,000 spectators attended across the two days, and despite the absence of a traditional third-day sellout, few could complain about the entertainment on offer.
For England, the win provides a significant morale boost after criticism of their approach earlier in the series and off-field scrutiny following reports of excessive celebrations during a break in Noosa. It also delivers a long-awaited personal milestone for Ben Stokes and Joe Root, who both secured their first Test victory in Australia after more than a decade of attempts.
Duckett, who had struggled throughout the tour, played with freedom and confidence, surviving an early dropped catch and giving England crucial momentum. Crawley followed with powerful strokeplay before Bethell and Root steadied the chase as Australia spread the field.
Though Root and Stokes both fell late, the tension was brief, and England sealed victory moments later as players poured onto the field to celebrate in front of jubilant supporters.
Australia, meanwhile, were dismissed twice in just 79.5 overs — their quickest 20-wicket defeat in a Test since 1928 — highlighting how relentlessly the conditions punished any batting error.
