England finally ended their 18-match winless streak in Boxing Day Tests, stretching back to December 2013, with a four-wicket victory over Australia on Day 2 of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. The win was also Ben Stokes’ first as captain in 13 Tests and ended England’s nearly 15-year wait for a Boxing Day Test victory on Australian soil.
England sealed the contest in just 32.2 overs on the second day, making it the shortest-ever Boxing Day Test in history in terms of days played.
Despite the defeat, Australia continue to lead the five-match Ashes series 3-1 and have already retained the urn, but England have managed to avoid a 5-0 whitewash heading into the final Test.
England won the toss and elected to bowl first on a lively, grass-covered surface that heavily favoured fast bowlers. Notably, no spin was bowled across the entire match, underlining the extreme pace-friendly conditions.
Josh Tongue spearheaded England’s attack with a five-wicket haul, as Australia were bundled out for 152 in their first innings. However, England struggled in reply and were dismissed for 110 in just 29.5 overs, conceding a 42-run lead, with Michael Neser claiming four wickets and Scott Boland three.
Australia began the second day with all ten wickets intact but were rocked early when the dismissal of Travis Head (46) triggered a dramatic collapse. England tore through the batting lineup to bowl Australia out for 132, with stand-in skipper Steve Smith left unbeaten on 24.
Chasing a target of 175, England approached the run chase with a limited-overs mindset. Opener Ben Duckett reached the landmark of 3,000 Test runs and crossed the 30-run mark for the first time in the series, scoring a brisk 34 off 26 balls, including four fours and a six, before being undone by a pinpoint yorker from Mitchell Starc. Zak Crawley chipped in with 37.
Australia briefly tried to make a comeback by removing Joe Root and Ben Stokes in quick succession, but Jacob Bethell’s composed 40, well supported by Harry Brook’s unbeaten 18, guided England home with ease.
The series now moves to Sydney for the fifth and final Test starting January 4, with England restoring some pride after a bruising Ashes campaign that saw them lose the opening three Tests in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide.
Brief Scores:
Australia 152 & 132 (Travis Head 46, Steve Smith 24*; Brydon Carse 4/34, Ben Stokes 3/24)
England 110 & 178/6 (Jacob Bethell 40, Zak Crawley 37; Scott Boland 2/29, Jhye Richardson 2/22)