England secured a dramatic four-wicket victory over Australia in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, marking their first Test win on Australian soil in 14 years. The win came as England successfully chased down a modest target of 175 runs late on day two, although they still trail Australia 3-1 in the five-Test series.
The match began with Australia posting 152 runs in their first innings, while England struggled, being dismissed for just 110. England’s second innings saw crucial contributions from Jacob Bethell, who scored 40 vital runs, and a stellar bowling performance from Josh Tongue, who claimed seven wickets in the match. Brydon Carse also impressed with four wickets in Australia’s second innings.
For Australia, Travis Head top-scored in the second innings with 46 runs. At tea on day two, England were 77 for two, with opener Zak Crawley unbeaten on 22 and Bethell on nine. Earlier, Mitchell Starc dismissed Ben Duckett for 34, ending a 51-run partnership with Crawley. Brydon Carse, promoted to number three, managed just six before being caught off Jhye Richardson.
Australia’s second innings saw them bowled out for 132, losing their last four wickets for 34 runs after resuming at 98 for six. Carse led the bowling attack with 4-34, while England captain Ben Stokes added 3-24. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson suffered a left hamstring strain, coming off injured after dismissing nightwatchman Scott Boland for six early in the morning session.
Carse and Tongue triggered Australia’s collapse in a four-wicket burst for just 27 runs in the morning, with Carse removing Travis Head for 46 and Alex Carey for four, and Tongue accounting for Marnus Labuschagne (8) and Usman Khawaja (0).
Despite this victory, Australia still leads the five-Test series 3-1, having won the first three matches in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide. England’s triumph in Melbourne, however, marks a memorable end to their 14-year winless streak in Australia
