After three losses, England finally manage to land punches in Boxing Day clash to beat Australia by four wickets inside two days and end 15-year wait for first Test win Down Under after 18 games; skipper Ben Stokes hails team’s bravery
England pacer Brydon Carse (centre) hugs skipper Ben Stokes after dismissing Australia’s top-scorer Travis Head on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images
A fighting England won their first Test on Australian soil in 15 years on Saturday, restoring their battered pride with a gutsy four-wicket victory to clinch a chaotic fourth Ashes clash that was all over inside two days.
The pumped-up tourists dismissed Australia for 132 soon after lunch in front of a bumper 92,045 crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, following the 20 wickets that tumbled on Day One. It left them chasing 175 to win, with Harry Brook unbeaten on 18 and Jamie Smith on three seeing them home for the loss of six wickets to huge roars from their travelling “Barmy Army” of fans.
Jacob Bethell contributed 40 and Zak Crawley 37.
A relieved Ben Stokes hailed his team’s “courage and bravery”, calling it “really special”. England were not only coming off three defeats, but heavy scrutiny over their preparation for the tour and behaviour during a mid-series beach break.
“It’s been a massive effort from everyone, and to come out on the right side of the result feels really special,” said Stokes.
“There was a fair bit going on in the build-up to this match, a lot being thrown our way. For the lads to come out, stay focused, and perform the way they did says a lot about the character in this team.
“Huge credit to the players, support staff, and management for keeping everyone locked in on what mattered — playing good cricket. I’m very proud. The cricket was short and sharp, very tricky, heavily favoured to the bowlers, but today we went about it exactly the right way. “We showed bravery and were courageous,” he added.
Earlier, Australia resumed on 4-0 in their second innings. Travis Head was in good touch before being bowled on 46 by a peach of a delivery from pacer Brydon Carse (4-34) that beat the outside edge, and when Khawaja (0) and Alex Carey (4) departed in the space of nine balls, the momentum was back with England.
852
No. of balls bowled at the MCG, making it the fourth-shortest completed Ashes Test
Zero
No. of players to score half-centuries in Melbourne — only the fifth time in Australia and 17th overall
Zero
No. of overs bowled by spinners at the MCG — the first time in a Test in Australia
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