Melbourne, Dec 27 (UNI) England scripted history on Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, defeating Australia by four wickets in the 4th Ashes Test and claiming their first Test win in Australia since January 2011, ending a 14-year wait.
The victory sparked jubilant celebrations among the Barmy Army and the England team, with senior players like Joe Root and Ben Stokes finally enjoying a triumph that had long eluded them Down Under.
After winning the toss, England chose to bowl, putting Australia under immediate pressure. The hosts managed 152 in their first innings, with England responding with 110, leaving Australia a slender first-innings lead.
In their second innings, Australia crumbled for 132, with Brydon Carse, Ben Stokes, and Gus Atkinson wreaking havoc with disciplined and penetrating spells.
Carse claimed four wickets, including Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head, while Stokes removed Cameron Green, Jake Weatherald, and Neser. Mitchell Starc fell for a duck, caught by Root, and the innings ended with J Richardson top-edging a pull to Crawley.
Chasing 175, England faced tense moments as early aggression from Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley set the platform. Jacob Bethell contributed a valuable 40, while Joe Root fell for 15 to Richardson and Ben Stokes was dismissed with just 10 runs needed.
However, calm and composed batting from Harry Brook and Jamie Smith guided England across the line, with Brook hitting crucial boundaries in the final overs to seal the historic win.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground witnessed a gripping contest filled with skill, tension, and drama. England’s ability to fight back under pressure, combined with disciplined bowling and timely partnerships, allowed them to achieve a memorable Boxing Day victory.
While the win is not enough to reclaim the Ashes this series, it demonstrates England’s resilience and fighting spirit in hostile Australian conditions, ending years of frustration for their senior players.
The match also highlighted the depth and character of both teams, with Australia showing flashes of resistance but ultimately succumbing to England’s relentless pressure.
England ends 14-year wait with historic Boxing Day win at MCG
