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England clinched a historic four-wicket victory over Australia in the 4th Ashes Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, chasing down 175 to end an 18-Test winless streak Down Under dating back over 14 years.
Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue starred with the ball, dismantling Australia’s batting twice on a seamer-friendly pitch that saw 20 wickets tumble across Day 1 and 2. The win, though a consolation after Australia sealed the series 3-0, ignited massive buzz on social media with fans hailing the pace duo’s dominance.
Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue shred the Aussie lineup on Day 2 in Melbourne
England scripted a memorable Ashes triumph at the MCG as their fast bowlers Carse and Josh Tongue ripped through Australia’s batting and set up a tense but successful chase on a challenging surface. After Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl, Tongue led the destruction in the first innings, exploiting the green-tinged pitch to devastating effect. Australia never recovered from his early strikes, losing key batters in clusters and collapsing to a modest total despite brief resistance. The hosts looked shaky throughout, with wickets tumbling regularly as England’s seamers maintained relentless pressure and refused to let any partnership settle.
The second innings proved even more dramatic for Australia. Resuming with hope of setting a daunting target, they instead imploded once again as Carse ran through the middle and lower order with hostile spells, well supported by Tongue and Stokes. A sudden post-lunch collapse saw Australia lose wickets in a heap, their slim advantage wiped out in quick time, leaving England with a tricky but achievable target. Although England’s own first innings had been disappointing, undone by disciplined Australian bowling, the match remained finely balanced heading into the final chase.
England’s gritty chase ends long winless streak in Australia
Chasing 175, England came out with positive intent as their openers attacked early and took the game on, easing some of the pressure. While wickets did fall at regular intervals and tension rose late in the chase, England held their nerve. Harry Brook and Jamie Smith calmly guided the visitors home, sealing a rare and historic Test win on Australian soil by 4-wickets on Day 2. The victory sparked huge celebrations among England fans, with social media erupting in praise for Carse and Tongue, whose match-defining spells ended England’s long wait for Ashes success in Australia.
Also READ: Records and stats: Least balls faced by Australia across both innings in Tests since 1900
Here’s how fans reacted:
Shortest Ashes Ever Played At Australia By Balls : 847 Balls Perth
4th Ashes At Melbourne Finished In 852 Balls
England's First Test Win In Australia Since January 2011
First Chasing Since 1978 At Brisbane
Congratulations To England Team
— Sachiin Ramdas Suryavanshi (@sachiinv7)
Josh Tongue bags player of the match award for his terrific bowling performance ⚡
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
12 wickets in 2 Tests he played this Ashes. England made a horrible call of not picking him at Perth and Gabba.
Josh Tongue has made a huge difference in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.
Genuine wicket taker.
— Martial (@coverpoint_)
Josh Tongue is so under appreciated due to his unorthodox action
— Shrii (@4thUmpire_)
Josh Tongue should get Player of the Match – deserves it
— Sydney Cafes (@sydneycafes)
England winning their first test in Australia since 2011.
— Sagar (@sagarcasm)
England have won a Test in Australia for the first time since January 2011, four tours and 19 matches ago. They chase 175 six wickets down.
A crazy game, again over in two days, and too late to influence the outcome of the Ashes. A win's a win though, fair play England
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp)
McCullum Watching England Performance at Boxing Day Test Match at MCG Melbourne | |
— Megha (मेघा) 🇮🇳 (@Megha212927)
🚨 HISTORY CREATED AT THE MCG. 🚨
– England have won a Test match in Australia after 5,468 days. 🤯
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Amidst all Bethell quietly played one of the most matured knock of The Ashes for England 🫡
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda)
England has performed so bad in in Australia that one test match win is being considered as a historic moment.
— Honest Cricket Fan🏏 (@Vinayak76386752)
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