MELBOURNE – In a whirlwind display of “Bazball” resilience, England captured their first Test victory on Australian soil in 15 years, overcoming a mid-tour crisis to secure a four-wicket win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!While the Ashes urn remains with Australia following their dominance in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, Ben Stokes’s men delivered a vital Christmas gift to their traveling supporters, ending a drought that had persisted since the 2010/11 series.
The Great Australian Collapse
The match turned on a dime during the second day. Australia began the morning in a position of total command: a 46-run lead with all ten second-inning wickets in hand. However, the tourists—despite being a bowler down after Gus Atkinson suffered a hamstring strain—tore through the Australian lineup.
Exploiting a sporting pitch and questionable shot selection from the hosts, England’s attack routed Australia for just 132 runs in a chaotic 34.3-over session.
A Nervous Chase
Chasing 175 for victory, England’s top order came out with typical aggression:
- The Launch: Zak Crawley (37) and Ben Duckett (34) ignited the chase with a 51-run opening stand.
- The Gamble: In a trademark tactical curveball, tailender Brydon Carse was promoted to number three to disrupt the rhythm, though he fell cheaply for six.
- The Debutant: 22-year-old Jacob Bethell proved his worth as Ollie Pope’s replacement, contributing a composed 40 runs that brought England within sight of the finish line.
Jangling Nerves at the Finish
The victory was far from a procession. Australia’s relentless seam attack triggered a late-order collapse, reducing England to 165/6. With the ghosts of past tours looming, Harry Brook (18*) and Jamie Smith (3*) managed to stabilize the innings. The winning runs finally came via four leg-byes off the bowling of Mitchell Starc, sparking wild celebrations in the English dressing room.
Redemption for Stokes and Root
For veterans Ben Stokes and Joe Root, the win marks a career milestone. Both had endured winless tours of Australia dating back to 2013/14.
“This win means a hell of a lot,” said Root. “There’s been a lot thrown at this team [this tour], and the way we responded over these two days was excellent.”
The victory serves as a defiant response to recent criticisms regarding the team’s off-field discipline during their mid-tour break in Noosa. By conquering the “Melbourne Mayhem,” England heads to the final Test with their heads held high and a historic monkey off their back.
