The Ashes 2025-26: England win staggering two-day Test against Australia in Melbourne

England win staggering two-day Test in Melbourne England win chaotic two-day Test to get on series scoreboard Published Fourth Ashes Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground (day two of five) Australia 152: Neser 35; Tongue 5-45 & 132: Head 46; Carse 4-34 England 110: Brook 41; Neser 4-45 & 178-6: Bethell 40, Crawley 37 England won by four wickets; Australia lead series 3-1 England ended an 18-match winless streak in Australia and avoided an Ashes clean sweep in a staggering and absurd two-day Test in Melbourne. In one of the most bizarre matches ever played, England chased 175 to win on the second evening of the fourth Test, leaving the series at 3-1 before the finale in Sydney. In devilishly difficult batting conditions, England's Bazballers revelled in the chaos as they finally found a situation in Australia to suit their freewheeling method. They reached their target inside 33 overs, England's four-wicket victory delighting the thousands of travelling fans who finally have something to celebrate on a hitherto miserable tour. The chance of a first Test victory in Australia since 2011 was created when England dismissed the home side for 132 in their second innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Brydon Carse claimed 4-34 and captain Ben Stokes 3-24 to cover for the loss of Gus Atkinson, who is a doubt for the fifth Test after sustaining a hamstring injury. To add to the silliness, Carse then arrived as a pinch-hitter at number three after Crawley and Ben Duckett struck 51 in 6.5 overs - England's highest opening partnership of the series. Crawley made 37, Duckett 34 and Jacob Bethell justified his recall with a classy 40. The winning runs came off the thigh pad of Harry Brook, drawing a deafening roar from the corner of England supporters at the end of a breathtaking day. Stokes proud England 'held firm' after criticism Published3 minutes ago 'Has a touch of genius' - Ashes player ratings Published2 hours ago England bowler Atkinson set for scan on hamstring Published38 minutes ago Chaotic, frantic and memorable Melbourne Carse dismisses Neser and Starc as both fall for a duck Where to start making sense of this chaotic, frantic and memorable Boxing Day match? This was the 2,615th Test on record and the 27th to finish inside two days. Until this series began in Perth in November, there had been no two-dayers in Ashes cricket since 1921. Now there have been two in five weeks - the first series between any teams to contain two two-day Tests since 1896. Was the pitch, covered in a lush 10mm of grass, suitable for Test cricket? It certainly gave an advantage to ball over bat that bordered on unfair. Still, that takes nothing away from the quality of the bowling, or excuses some of the batting, with Australia especially guilty. Test cricket is a rich tapestry - no other sport has such a variance in conditions holding such influence over the outcome. On this occasion, the conditions may have produced cricket...

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