England Stuns Australia in Historic Boxing Day Test to Break 14-Year Drought
By Lions Roar News Sports Desk
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (December 28, 2025) – In a whirlwind encounter that will be etched in cricket history, England has defeated Australia by four wickets in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The victory is monumental, marking England’s first Test win on Australian soil in 14 years (5,468 days), with their last victory dating back to the Sydney Test in January 2011.
While Australia had already secured the Ashes by winning the first three Tests, this victory at the “G” has denied them a whitewash and restored English pride in front of a record-breaking crowd.
📊 Match Summary: The Scorecard
The match was a rare “two-day shootout” due to a highly volatile pitch that favored bowlers heavily.
| Innings | Team | Score | Top Performers |
| 1st Innings | Australia | 152 All Out | Usman Khawaja (29), Michael Neser (35) |
| England | 110 All Out | Harry Brook (41), Gus Atkinson (28) | |
| 2nd Innings | Australia | 132 All Out | Travis Head (46), Steve Smith (24) |
| 2nd Innings | England | 178/6 | Jacob Bethell (40), Zak Crawley (37) |
Result: England won by 4 wickets.
Player of the Match: Josh Tongue (England)
🌟 Game Highlights & Specialties
1. A Global Attendance Record
History was made before a single ball was even bowled. A staggering 94,199 fans packed the MCG on Boxing Day, setting a new all-time record for the largest crowd at a cricket match in Australia. This surpassed the previous record of 93,013 set during the 2015 World Cup Final.
2. Josh Tongue’s Masterclass
England’s young pacer Josh Tongue was the architect of Australia’s first-innings collapse. He claimed 5 for 45, becoming the first England bowler to take a five-wicket haul at the MCG in the 21st century (the last being Darren Gough in 1998). His delivery to bowl Steve Smith for just 9 runs was described by commentators as the “ball of the summer.”
3. The “Two-Day” Carnage
The match ended in just two days, with 36 wickets falling in less than 15 hours of play. Critics and commentators have voiced serious concerns regarding the pitch quality at both Perth and Melbourne, noting that such short matches are detrimental to the fans and the finances of the game.
4. The Chase
Chasing a tricky 175 on a minefield of a pitch, England relied on a quick-fire opening stand between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. Despite a middle-order wobble caused by Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, Jacob Bethell (40) and Harry Brook (18)* guided the tourists home to secure their first win of the series.
