England snaps 15-year losing streak with dramatic MCG victory
Cricket enthusiasts in Melbourne witnessed a historic moment as England finally broke their 15-year hoodoo on Australian soil. In a whirlwind encounter at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Ben Stokes’ squad secured a gritty four-wicket victory. This win is particularly significant as it ensures England avoids a humiliating series whitewash, providing a much-needed morale boost for the visitors.
This Boxing Day Test was characterized by its lightning-fast pace, ending in just two days. It marks only the second time in this Ashes series that a match has concluded within 48 hours, a rarity that will surely spark discussions regarding pitch preparation. While more than 186,000 fans packed the stadium over the two days, Cricket Australia faces financial questions due to the lost revenue of the remaining three days. However, for England, the only metric that mattered was the result on the scoreboard.
Chasing a target of 175—the highest total of this bowler-friendly match—England’s openers came out swinging. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett set an aggressive tone, racing to 51 runs within the first seven overs. Duckett even delighted the crowd with a daring scoop for six against Michael Neser, proving that the "Bazball" philosophy still has plenty of life. Young talent Jacob Bethell, recently brought back into the side, showcased his massive potential with a composed 40-run innings. Despite a late-game wobble where Joe Root and Ben Stokes fell with the finish line in sight, England held their nerve to cross the mark.
Earlier, the English bowling unit dismantled the Australian lineup with clinical precision. Australia started the day with a slim lead but crumbled to just 132 runs in their second innings. While Travis Head offered some resistance with a top score of 46, he eventually fell to a peach of a delivery from Brydon Carse. Carse was the standout performer, claiming four wickets, while Captain Ben Stokes chipped in with three crucial scalps. The bowlers' performance was even more impressive considering they lost Gus Atkinson early in the day to a hamstring injury.
By securing England's MCG Test win, the team has finally silenced critics who pointed to their decade-long struggle in Australia. This match will be remembered not just for the result, but for the frantic, high-intensity cricket that saw 40 wickets fall in roughly six sessions of play.
