England record first Test win in Australia in around 15 years

By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: England’s men claimed their first Test victory in Australia in nearly 15 years as they chased down a target of 175 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to secure a four-wicket win in a match that ended inside two days, an outcome that again put the spotlight on the state of the pitches used in this Ashes series.
The win, England’s first in Australia in 19 Tests, ensured they avoided the prospect of another whitewash down under, even if the circumstances were far from ideal. It was only the fifth time in Test history that a series had featured multiple two-day matches, and just the third time it had happened in Australia.
Despite more than 186,000 spectators attending across two record-breaking days, the rapid finish is expected to leave Cricket Australia facing another significant financial loss. Australia captain Pat Cummins has previously described short Tests as “bad for business”, while England skipper Ben Stokes admitted the contest was “not ideal” for the game.
Australia began the match strongly, taking a first-innings lead of 42 on a frenetic opening day in which 20 wickets fell. However, they were unable to build on that advantage in their second innings, collapsing to 132 as Stokes and Brydon Carse shared seven wickets, with Josh Tongue taking two more. England were forced to manage the remainder of the innings with three frontline seamers after Gus Atkinson left the field early on day two with a hamstring injury.
The resulting target of 175 was still the highest total of the match, but England’s intent was clear from the outset. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett attacked Australia’s fast bowlers, racing to 51 inside seven overs and shifting the momentum decisively.
Duckett struck Mitchell Starc through the leg side with the first ball of the chase, while Crawley launched Michael Neser straight down the ground to set the tone. Duckett continued to take risks, including a top-edged pull and a ramp shot for six, while Crawley punished anything overpitched. Although Starc produced several threatening deliveries and came close to a return catch, Australia were unable to apply sustained pressure early on.
Scott Boland eventually removed Crawley to revive Australian hopes, and Starc bowled Duckett with a full delivery soon after. England briefly stumbled when Joe Root was trapped lbw by Jhye Richardson and Stokes edged Starc with just 10 runs still required, but four leg byes completed the chase amid loud celebrations from England supporters.
Jacob Bethell, recalled for the match, played a key role in steadying the innings with an aggressive 40, showcasing his potential before being caught off Scott Boland. His dismissal meant the match became the first Test in Australia since 1932 to be completed without a single individual half-century, and only the fifth such Test overall.
Earlier, Australia’s second innings had shown little cohesion. Stokes struck in his opening over to bowl Jake Weatherald, whose struggles continued after a promising first innings in Brisbane. Marnus Labuschagne was undone by uneven bounce and movement, edging to slip after taking blows to the gloves.
Travis Head looked Australia’s most assured batter, but was bowled by a sharply seaming delivery from Carse that clipped the top of off stump. Usman Khawaja followed soon after, top-edging a short ball from Tongue, while Alex Carey was caught at slip without being able to mount a rescue effort.
Steven Smith and Cameron Green briefly resisted either side of lunch, adding 31 runs, but Green edged a drive to slip, and Australia’s lower order offered limited resistance. Carse impressed in the absence of Atkinson, taking a sharp return catch and then removing Starc, while Stokes cleaned up the tail to leave England with a manageable chase.
The match’s abrupt conclusion means pubs, golf courses and Boxing Day sales around Melbourne may benefit from an unexpected midweek boost, while administrators are likely to face renewed scrutiny over pitch preparation as the series moves on to Sydney.
Summarised scores:
England beat Australia by four wickets
4th Test – Melbourne Cricket Ground

Australia 1st innings: 152 all out (45.2 overs)
Neser 35; Tongue 5-45, Atkinson 2-28

England 1st innings: 110 all out (29.5 overs)
Brook 41; Neser 4-45, Boland 3-30

Australia 2nd innings: 132 all out (34.3 overs)
Head 46, Smith 24*; Carse 4-34, Stokes 3-24, Tongue 2-44

England 2nd innings (target: 175): 178-6 (32.2 overs)
Bethell 40, Crawley 37, Duckett 34; Starc 2-55, Boland 2-29

Result: England won by four wickets
Player of the Match: Josh Tongue (5-45 & 2-44)