England achieved a historic victory on Australian soil on Saturday, winning their first Test in 15 years with a thrilling four-wicket triumph in the chaotic fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The match, completed in just two days, saw 36 wickets tumble, leaving a stunned 92,045-strong crowd and a jubilant “Barmy Army” of travelling fans.
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After dismissing Australia for 132 in the second innings, England chased down 175, with Harry Brook unbeaten on 18 and Jamie Smith on three securing the win. Jacob Bethell contributed 40 runs while Zak Crawley added 37 in a challenging chase. England captain Ben Stokes hailed the performance as a demonstration of courage and focus, emphasizing the team’s ability to overcome a tough tour and immense pressure.
The tourists had struggled earlier in the series, losing the first three Tests and facing criticism over limited preparation and a mid-series beach break. However, their aggressive “Bazball” approach in Melbourne, led by openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, set the tone. Duckett struck a boundary off Mitchell Starc in his first over, and Crawley hit consecutive six and four off Michael Neser to give England a strong start. Duckett eventually fell for 34, followed by a series of quick wickets, but England managed to hold their nerve and complete the chase.
Australia’s Steve Smith acknowledged the tough contest, noting that the pitch played as expected but the large number of wickets reflected its challenging nature. The MCG wicket, with 10 millimetres of grass, was widely criticised by former greats for being “unfair to batters” due to the excessive assistance for bowlers. On the first day alone, 20 wickets fell, the highest on day one of an Ashes Test since 1909, surpassing the 19 wickets in Perth earlier in the series.
England’s quick bowlers dominated from the start. Scott Boland, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, and Stokes combined to dismantle Australia’s top order. Jake Weatherald and Travis Head struggled to convert starts, with Head falling for 46 to a superb Carse delivery. Marnus Labuschagne contributed just eight, while Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey fell in quick succession, allowing England to regain momentum. Cameron Green and Michael Neser could not stabilize the innings, and Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 24.
England’s victory breaks a 15-year winless streak in Australia, with the team now looking ahead to the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney with renewed confidence. The game also reignited debate over the suitability of the MCG pitch, with calls for a balance between bat and ball in future matches.
The historic win is a testament to England’s resilience and tactical bravery, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure and restore pride on Australian soil.
