AUS vs ENG 4th Ashes Test: England secured a historic 4-wicket win against Australia at the MCG, chasing 175 on Day 2.
AUS vs ENG 4th Test: England registered a historic four wicket win over Australia at the MCG on Saturday, successfully chasing 175 on Day 2. It marked their first Test victory in Australia in 15 years. ending a drought that dates back to the 2010/11 Ashes series in Sydney, where England won by an innings and 83 runs to securing a 3-1 series victory.
The win comes as a late consolation for England, with Australia having already secured the Ashes 2025-26 series 3-0 after dominant victories in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide.
Toss & Australia 1st innings collapse
After losing the toss and batting first, Australia were bowled out for 152 in their opening innings. England’s Josh Tongue starred with 5 wickets, while Gus Atkinson took 2. Brydon Carse and Ben stokes chipped in with one wicket each as Australia failed to build partnerships.
England struggle in reply
In response, England collapsed for 110 in their first innings, conceding a 42-run deficit. For England, Harry Brook top scored with 41, Atkinson added 28, and Stokes contributed 16. Australia’s Michael Nisar led the attack with 4 wickets, Boland took 3, Starc 2, and Green 1.
Australia 2nd innings falls apart
After 20 wickets fallen on Day 1, setting up a chaotic Test. Australia resumed Day 2 at 4/0, but wickets then tumbled in clusters. The hosts were dismissed for 132 runs, with only three batters reaching double figures. Travis Head scored 46 runs, while captain Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 24. Cameron Green contributed 19 runs. Three batters were out for ducks, highlighting the batting fragility.
For England, Brydon Carse delivered a career-defining spell with 4 wickets, captain Ben Stokes added 3, Josh Tongue took 2, and Gus Atkinson 1 to wrap up the innings quickly.
England chase & finish in 32.2 overs
Set 175 to win, England began strongly through Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. The first wicket fell at 51, with Duckett dismissed for 34. Brydon Carse (6) at No.3 misfired, but Crawley (37) and Bethell (40) added 47 crucial runs to swing momentum back. Root (15) and Stokes (02) fell cheaply, but Brook (18) and Jamie Smith (03*) guided England home in 32.2 overs, completing the chase in just two days.
A win after 15 years
This victory is England’s first in Australia in 15 years and their only win of the Ashes 2025-26 campaign. While the series result remains unchanged, Stokes side will take heart from the resilience shown in Melbourne.
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