England broke their long winning streak in Australia with a memorable win during the fourth Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Harry Brook hit the winning four, ending a wait of 5,468 days since England’s last Test win in Australia, which came in January 2011.
England won by four wickets in Melbourne on Saturday, 27 December. Notably, for the second time in the ongoing series the match ended inside two days. Chasing the target of 175 runs, England completed the target in 32 overs. Jacob Bethel scored a crucial 40 off 46 balls in difficult batting conditions.
England secure first Test win in Australia since January 2011
England achieved their first Test win in Australia since January 2011. This victory created a huge celebration among the England fans on the field. England had not won in 18 Test matches in Australia, making the result in front of a packed Melbourne crowd all the more special.
The win was a personal milestone for Joe Root, who won his first Test in Australia after 17 previous attempts. Captain Ben Stokes also tasted success there for the first time in his 13th Test on Australian soil.
Despite the win, England still trail 3-1 in the Ashes series with one match left. The series has already been won by Australia, but the result saved England from a whitewash in the series. Notably, no player on either team scored a half-century, something that had not happened in a Test match in Australia since 1932.
England have won a Test match in Australia after 5,468 days#ash , #PlayoftheDay , @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/NBSuyMne52
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 27 December 2025
England team’s aggressive run chase in MCG
The visiting team started chasing the target from the very beginning. Openers Ben Duckett and Jack Crawley attacked Australia’s bowlers, adding 45 runs in the first six overs with adventurous shots and early boundaries.
The pair tried their luck before Mitchell Starc bowled Duckett for 34 with a sharp yorker. England then surprised many by sending in Brydon Carse at No. 3, but the move failed as he was caught slogging, giving Jhye Richardson his first Test wicket in four years.
Jacob Bethell continued England’s attacking intent after tea and formed a useful partnership with Crawley. Both were dismissed together by Scott Boland. Despite the late wickets of Joe Root and Ben Stokes, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith calmly completed the chase and sealed England’s victory without any hassle.
Australia was out for 132 runs in the second innings.
Earlier, the hosts were all out for 132 runs in just 34 overs. Brayden Carse took four wickets for 34 runs, while captain Ben Stokes took three wickets. Following the early dismissals of Scott Boland, Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head briefly threatened to strike back.
However, Carse bowled Head for 46, triggering another collapse. Usman Khawaja was out for zero on the second ball and Alex Carey could score only 4 runs. Steve Smith and Cameron Green put up some resistance, but after lunch Australia lost four wickets for just 13 runs.
Jhye Richardson was the last wicket, Smith remained unbeaten on 24 runs. Overall, Australia faced less than 80 overs in both innings, their fastest double collapse in a Test match since 1928.
Also Read: AUS vs ENG ICC World Test Championship points table after 4th Test, WTC table – The Ashes 2025-26
