AUS vs ENG 4th Test: The 2025 Boxing Day Test has descended into delightful carnage, as a green-tinged MCG pitch triggered a collapse-fest that saw 20 wickets fall in a single day.
At the conclusion of the third innings, the match remains on a knife-edge with Australia holding a slender advantage in what has become a fast-paced shootout. After 14 years, England winning a Test match in Australia.
Tongue Wagging for England
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, England captain Ben Stokes was immediately vindicated. Josh Tongue produced a career-best performance, tearing through the Australian top order. He claimed the prized scalps of Marnus Labuschagne (6) and stand-in captain Steve Smith (9) with relentless accuracy and wobble-seam movement.
Australia was bundled out for just 152 before tea. Only Michael Neser (35) and Usman Khawaja (29) offered significant resistance. Tongue finished with stellar figures of 5/45, his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
England’s Top Order Topples
If Australia’s batting was fragile, England’s response was frantic. The visitors slumped to a harrowing 16/4 within eight overs as Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser exploited the conditions. Joe Root’s difficult tour continued with a 15-ball duck.
A counter-attacking cameo from Harry Brook (41 off 34) briefly threatened to shift the momentum, but the introduction of local hero Scott Boland silenced the charge. Boland’s triple-strike, including the wickets of Brook and Jamie Smith, saw England skittled for 110, their lowest Ashes total in years. Australia took a vital 42-run first-innings lead.
Australia Digs In
Australia’s second turn at the crease began in the dying light of Day 1. To protect the specialist batters, Scott Boland was sent out as a nightwatchman. Amidst a roar from the 94,000-strong crowd, Boland survived a tense final over, even managing to clip a boundary to leave Australia at 4/0.
As play resumed on Day 2, the Australian batters found runs hard to come by. Travis Head (46) played a lone hand of aggression, but the English seamers, led by Brydon Carse (4/34) and Ben Stokes (3/24), remained relentless. Australia was eventually dismissed for 132, setting England a target of 175 for victory.
England chased off a modest target
After getting a target of 175, England batters didn’t waste time and went on to clinch a brilliant victory by 4 wickets. This was England’s first Test victory after 14 years. Last time when they won on Australian shores was in 2010-11 Ashes series.