In a chaotic and breathless contest that lasted just two days, England secured a drought-breaking four-wicket victory over Australia in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Chasing a modest target of 175, the visitors overcame a perilous pitch and a nervy final session to claim their first Test win on Australian soil in over a decade.
The match, one of the shortest completed Tests ever played in the country, was a rollercoaster defined by aggressive batting and relentless bowling on a surface offering significant assistance. England’s pursuit was spearheaded by a crucial 40 from young batter Jacob Bethell and a brisk 34 from opener Ben Duckett, whose partnership helped steady the innings after early wickets.
The victory was set up by a dominant bowling performance, led by Josh Tongue, who was named Player of the Match. His seven wickets across the two innings, including a first-innings five-wicket haul, consistently dismantled the Australian batting order, which collapsed to 132 all out in its second innings.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals during the chase, England’s middle order held its nerve. Contributions from Zak Crawley (37) and a calm, unbeaten 18 from Harry Brook guided the team across the line amidst mounting tension at the iconic stadium.
The result ensures the series, already won by Australia, concludes with a memorable fightback from the tourists. It also raises questions for the home side, with several senior batters failing to fire and the team’s balance under scrutiny ahead of the final Test in Sydney.
For England, the win represents a significant morale boost, ending a long and frustrating run of results away from home. Captain Ben Stokes praised his team’s courage and positive approach on a challenging pitch, highlighting the character shown to secure a famous victory in front of a massive holiday crowd.
