England finally broke a long-standing hoodoo in Australia with a dramatic four-wicket victory over Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, securing their first men’s Test win on Australian soil in nearly 15 years. The match, which finished inside just two days, was notable not only for England’s aggressive chase but also for reigniting debate around pitch conditions during the Ashes series.
England Clinch Historic MCG Test Win
Chasing a target of 175 — the highest total of the match — England’s batters set the tone early with fearless intent. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett raced to 51 inside seven overs, instantly shifting momentum. Duckett attacked Mitchell Starc from ball one, while Crawley took on Michael Neser with confidence, underlining England’s commitment to an aggressive approach.
Although Duckett was eventually bowled by Starc, the early assault gave England belief. An experimental move saw Brydon Carse promoted to No. 3, but it was Jacob Bethell, recalled for this Test, who steadied the innings. Bethell’s fluent 40 offered a glimpse of his promise, featuring bold strokeplay including a reverse scoop and crisp drives through the covers.
Australia fought back through Scott Boland, who removed Crawley and Bethell in quick succession, creating a brief wobble with victory in sight. Joe Root fell lbw to Jhye Richardson, and Ben Stokes edged Mitchell Starc with ten runs still needed. However, four leg byes sealed the win, sparking celebrations among England supporters, even if the team’s own reaction was relatively restrained.
Australia Falter on Challenging MCG Pitch
The match was defined by a volatile surface that produced uneven bounce and lateral movement throughout. Australia, despite earning a 42-run first-innings lead after a chaotic opening day that saw 20 wickets fall, could only manage 132 in their second innings. England’s bowlers shared the workload effectively, with Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse claiming seven wickets between them, while Josh Tongue continued his impressive series.
Travis Head top-scored with 46 and looked the most comfortable batter on display, but even he could not overcome a sharply seaming delivery from Carse. Key Australian batters, including Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja, struggled against movement off the pitch, while Steven Smith and Cameron Green briefly rebuilt before England struck again.
The match was also impacted by injury, with Gus Atkinson leaving the field early due to a hamstring problem, reducing England’s bowling resources. Despite this setback, England maintained pressure and ensured Australia could not post a match-defining total.
This Test marked just the fifth time in history that a series has featured multiple two-day finishes, and only the third such occurrence in Australia. While more than 186,000 fans attended across two days, the short match is expected to result in a financial loss for Cricket Australia, adding further scrutiny to the Ashes pitches.
