England secured a long-awaited victory on Australian soil in the fourth Ashes Test, defeating the hosts by four wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The match concluded in just 32.2 overs on Day 2, showcasing a strong performance by Ben Stokes’ side. The pitch heavily favored fast bowlers, with England’s decision to bowl first proving effective.
The Test match, played without a single over delivered by a spinner, saw England setting the tone by dismissing Australia for 152 in their first innings. Despite a strong response from the hosts, England was bowled out for 110, giving Australia a 42-run lead. Australia seemed in control by the end of Day 1, but momentum shifted swiftly on the following day.
Australia’s advantage was quickly nullified as England surged through the remaining wickets, restricting Australia to 132 runs. Setting a target of 175 runs, England’s aggressive chase led by Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley proved successful. Despite brief setbacks, England comfortably reached the target with Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook contributing significantly.
This victory marks England’s first Test win in Australia since January 2011 and Joe Root’s first win in Australia after 18 matches. The series now moves to Sydney for the final Test on January 4, with England regaining pride after a challenging Ashes campaign.
