England secured their first Test victory on Australian soil in 15 years with a gutsy four-wicket win in a chaotic fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday, a match that was wrapped up inside just two days.
Roared on by a packed crowd of 92,045, England dismissed Australia for 132 shortly after lunch, having already seen 20 wickets fall on the opening day. Set a target of 175, the tourists reached the total for the loss of six wickets to spark jubilant celebrations among their travelling “Barmy Army” supporters.
Harry Brook (18)* and Jamie Smith (3)* saw England home, while Jacob Bethell (40) and Zak Crawley (37) made key contributions in a nervy chase.
“A really good feeling after a tough tour,” said England captain Ben Stokes.
“After everything that was thrown at us, to focus on cricket and beat a very strong Australian side shows real bravery and courage. I’m very proud of the players, staff and management.”
Pressure Relieved After Tough Start
England entered the Melbourne Test under intense scrutiny after losing the first three matches of the series, with questions raised about preparation and discipline following a mid-series break. The win restores pride and sends England to Sydney for the fifth and final Test with renewed confidence.
The victory also snapped a long drought: England had not won a Test in Australia since January 2011, losing 16 and drawing two in the interim.
Openers Crawley and Ben Duckett set the tone with an aggressive “Bazball” approach. Duckett struck a boundary off Mitchell Starc in his opening over, while Crawley smashed Michael Neser for a six and a four in quick succession as the pair raced to a 50-run opening stand.
Duckett was bowled for 34 by a Starc yorker, while England’s gamble of promoting fast bowler Brydon Carse to No. 3 backfired when he fell cheaply. Crawley was dismissed lbw by Scott Boland, and Bethell followed soon after.
Australia mounted a brief fightback with wickets from Boland, Starc, and Jhye Richardson, removing Joe Root (15) and Stokes (2), but with only 10 runs required, Brook and Smith calmly finished the chase.
Australia Rue Missed Runs
Australia captain Steve Smith admitted his side fell short.
“If we had 50 or 60 more runs in both innings, things might have been different,” Smith said.
“When you see 36 wickets fall in two days, it probably tells you the pitch did a bit more than intended.”
Pitch Under Fire
The MCG pitch, which had 10 millimetres of grass, drew widespread criticism after 36 wickets fell in two days—the most on the opening day of an Ashes Test since 1909. Former players described it as “doing too much” and being unfair to batters.
Australia resumed their second innings at 4-0, but collapses followed quickly. Jake Weatherald, under pressure to retain his place, was bowled by Stokes for five. Marnus Labuschagne made eight before edging Josh Tongue, while Travis Head looked fluent before being bowled for 46 by Carse.
The innings unravelled after lunch, with wickets falling in quick succession. Carse and Stokes cleaned up the tail as Australia lost their last four wickets for just 13 runs, leaving Smith unbeaten on 24.
Series Continues in Sydney
England’s emphatic victory breathes life into a previously one-sided Ashes series and sets up a confidence-boosting finale in Sydney, while Australia are left to reflect on a Test dominated by bowlers and controversy over pitch preparation.
