England's cricketers have finally broken their long-standing curse on Australian soil, securing a dramatic four-wicket victory in the Melbourne Boxing Day Test. This win marks their first triumph in Australia for 5468 days, ending a painful losing streak that spanned nearly 14 years. The victory, however, comes with the Ashes series already decided, as Australia leads 3-1.
A Hastened Finish on a Treacherous Pitch
The match concluded remarkably early, on just the second day, leaving many fans disappointed by the nature of the contest. The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground came under heavy scrutiny, widely criticised as being unfairly biased towards the bowlers. The surface offered significant assistance to pace bowlers, leading to a staggering 20 wickets falling on the opening day. Batting collapses from both sides turned the match into a low-scoring thriller, rather than a traditional Test battle.
After Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat, his team was bundled out for a mere 152 runs. England's Josh Tongue was the chief destroyer, claiming an impressive five-wicket haul. England's response was equally feeble, as they were skittled for just 110. Michael Neser (4 wickets) and Scott Boland orchestrated the collapse. Australia's second innings offered little resistance either, folding for 132 and setting England a target of 175.
Stokes' Men Chase Down History
Facing a tricky chase, England's top order provided a solid foundation. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett put on a crucial 50-run partnership to settle the nerves. The middle order, led by a composed 40 from Jacob Bethell, steered the visitors closer to the target. The finishing touches were applied by the young duo of Harry Brook and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who saw England home.
The victory held special significance for veterans Joe Root and Ben Stokes. For Root, this was a maiden Test win in Australia in his 18th attempt, while Stokes celebrated his first in his 13th Test on Australian shores. The relief and joy were palpable as the team celebrated on the field.
Root Reflects on Character Amid Series Defeat
Despite the historic win, the series outcome is a settled affair. Reflecting on the performance, former captain Joe Root highlighted the team's resilience. "To lose the series is obviously very disappointing," Root stated. "But I think it was really important that we showed a lot of character for the rest of the series. There's been a lot thrown at this team and the way that we responded throughout these two days has been excellent."
The focus now shifts to Sydney, where the fifth and final Test of the series is scheduled to begin on January 4th, 2026. England will be aiming to build on this momentum and secure a consolation victory to end the tour on a higher note.
