In a historic and chaotic Boxing Day Test, England defeated Australia by four wickets, ending a 15-year winless streak. The victory also denied Australia a clean sheet, capping off an absurd two-day match at the MCG on Saturday, December 27.
It marks one of the strategic matches ever played as England chased 175 to win on the second night of the fourth Test, leaving the series at 3-1 ahead of the final in Sydney.
They successfully reached the target inside 33 overs, with England’s victory mesmerizing the thousands of fans who finally had something to celebrate on an otherwise dreadful journey.
With the chance of England’s first Test win in Australia since 2011 when England was created, they bowled the hosts for 132 in their second innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Brydon Alexander Carse claimed 4-34 and captain Ben Stokes 3-24 to cover the loss of Gus Atkinson, who is doubtful for the fifth Test after suffering a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Carse arrived as pinch-hitter at number three after Crawley and Ben Duckett hit 51 in 6.5 overs, highlighting England’s relentless aggression.
The winning points came from Harry Brook’s thigh pad, which drew deafening cheers from the corner of the England supporters at the end of a spectacular day.
The match finished in just two days and marked the end of England’s fifteen-year streak of defeats on Australian soil.
