England finally broke their long wait for a Test victory in Australia, defeating Australia by 4 wickets in the 4th Test of the Ashes 2025–26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The match, played at rapid pace and finished inside two days, will be remembered as one of England’s most courageous overseas wins in recent years.
This result marked England’s first Test win in Australia since January 2011, ending an 18-Test winless run Down Under and giving the Boxing Day crowd at the MCG a dramatic contest.
A Fast, Fierce Boxing Day Test
The pitch at the MCG offered help to fast bowlers from the first session, and the game moved quickly from start to finish. A total of 36 wickets fell in two days, making it one of the shortest completed Ashes Tests in history.
Despite Australia still leading the series 3–1, England’s performance showed strong character after a tough tour.
Josh Tongue Delivers a Dream Performance
England’s win was built on a sensational bowling display by Josh Tongue, who was named Player of the Match.
Josh Tongue – Match Figures
- 1st Innings: 5/45
- 2nd Innings: 2/44
Bowling with pace, control, and confidence, Tongue ripped through Australia’s batting in both innings and ensured the hosts never took full control of the Test.
Read also: Most Wickets in a Single Day in Boxing Day Test History
How the Match Unfolded
Australia Struggle With the Bat
Australia were bowled out for 152 in the first innings and 132 in the second. While Travis Head (46) and Steven Smith (24*) showed resistance, no batter was able to play a long innings on the challenging surface.
England’s seam attack, backed up by sharp fielding, kept pressure on Australia throughout the match.
England Show Bravery in the Chase
Chasing 175 in tricky conditions, England chose attack over survival.
- Ben Duckett (34) and Zak Crawley (37) gave England a fast start.
- Jacob Bethell (40) played a fearless and mature knock in the middle order.
- Harry Brook (18)* stayed calm at the end to finish the job.
England reached 178/6 in 32.2 overs, sealing a memorable four-wicket victory.
Captain Reactions After the Match
Ben Stokes (England Captain)
Stokes praised his team’s bravery and mindset, saying the players stayed positive despite the pressure and difficult conditions. He highlighted the aggressive chase as the way England want to play their cricket.
Steven Smith (Australia Captain)
Smith admitted the game was “tricky” and felt Australia were 50–60 runs short overall. He also noted the pitch offered heavy assistance for bowlers, making it tough for batters to settle.
Records From the Test
- England recorded the second-highest run rate in a successful 150+ Ashes chase (5.50).
- This was one of the shortest Ashes Tests by balls bowled.
- The match ended with no individual fifty, despite a total aggregate of over 570 runs.
- England conceded a first-innings lead but still won — a rare feat in Australia.
For England, this victory is about belief and momentum. While the Ashes urn remains with Australia, England finally found success with disciplined bowling and fearless batting — especially under pressure in the fourth innings.
With one Test still to play, England will take confidence from this performance, while Australia will look to bounce back and finish the series strongly.
Summary
England’s Boxing Day triumph at the MCG was not just a win, but a statement. After years of frustration in Australia, they showed courage, patience, and attacking intent to secure a famous Test victory — one that will be remembered by players and fans for a long time.
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