England have finally broken their long-standing drought in Australia, securing a nail-biting four-wicket victory in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The win, achieved in a breathless two-day contest, ends a barren run stretching back to January 2011.
A Batting Graveyard and a Historic Chase
The match was a dramatic departure from normal Test cricket, played on a treacherous pitch described as a "batting graveyard". England's bowlers set up the chance for victory by skittling Australia for just 132 in their second innings, despite losing Gus Atkinson to a hamstring injury early on. Brydon Carse stepped up brilliantly, taking four wickets for 34 runs.
Chasing a target of 175, which felt monumental in the conditions, England embraced the chaos. Ben Duckett provided a frenetic start before debutant Jacob Bethell played a crucial knock of 40. The chase was a throwback to the adventurous 'Bazball' spirit, featuring a surprise promotion for Carse as a 'nighthawk' and bold strokeplay throughout.
Ending the Longest Wait
This victory concludes a dismal sequence for England in Australia, encompassing 16 defeats and two draws across four previous tours. While the Ashes urn remains with Australia after three initial defeats, this win at the MCG on 27 December 2025 averts the threat of a 5-0 series whitewash and provides a massive morale boost for Ben Stokes's side.
The winning moment came in anticlimactic but joyous fashion, with Harry Brook at the crease as the winning runs came via four leg-byes. Those extras will now be etched into Ashes folklore as the runs that ended a 15-year wait.
Bowlers Set the Stage for Triumph
The foundation for the win was laid by a relentless bowling performance on the second morning. After Atkinson's injury, captain Ben Stokes led from the front, taking three wickets. Josh Tongue provided vital support with two, including the key dismissal of Usman Khawaja. Carse's spell was decisive, cleaning up the tail and removing the dangerous Travis Head for 46 with a superb delivery.
This victory, carved out of mayhem and against the odds, proves that England can win in Australia. It marks a significant moment for a team that has struggled for so long on Australian soil and provides a thrilling chapter in the long history of the Ashes rivalry.
