Australia (Parliament Politics Magazine) – England secured a four-wicket victory over Australia in Melbourne, claiming their first Ashes Test win in Australia since 2011.
As reported by Al Jazeera, England ended a 15-year Ashes drought in Australia on Saturday, securing a four-wicket victory in the two-day fourth Ashes Test.
How did England win their first test in Australia since 2011?
England bowled out Australia for 132 shortly after lunch, following 20 wickets on day one, in front of a packed 92,045-strong crowd at the MCG.
The English team required 175 runs for victory, with unbeaten knocks from Harry Brook and Jamie Smith claiming the win for six wickets down amid roaring support from their “Barmy Army” fans. Jacob Bethell added 40 and Zak Crawley 37.
After losing the first three Tests, England entered Melbourne under intense pressure following defeats in the opening three matches and questions over their limited preparation and off-field behaviour.
England recovered strongly and will travel to Sydney for the fifth and final Ashes Test with boosted confidence.
Since their last Test win in Australia in 2011, England have lost 16 and drawn two matches, with openers Crawley and Duckett targeting to break the streak using “Bazball” style.
Ben Duckett scored a boundary off Mitchell Starc in the opening over, while Zak Crawley responded with back-to-back big shots, a six and a four off Michael Neser.
The opening pair raced to a fifty-run partnership, but Duckett was dismissed for 34 by a Starc yorker immediately after. In a surprise move, Brydon Carse came in at number three, replacing Bethell in an unexpected shake-up.
England’s pinch-hitting experiment failed as Carse lasted just eight balls before giving a simple catch to Cameron Green.
Crawley was then trapped lbw by Scott Boland after a determined innings, while Bethell was caught by Usman Khawaja off the same bowler.
Joe Root fell lbw to Richardson for 14, and Starc sent Ben Stokes back for two. With just 10 runs remaining, Brook and Smith guided England to victory.
After a blistering opening day that produced 20 wickets, Australia began their second innings on 4-0, with the hosts bowled out for 152 and England having scored just 110.
The nightwatchman Boland edged Gus Atkinson to Smith at the stumps before leaving the field due to a left hamstring injury.
After securing the final two wickets on day one, Josh Tongue came on a hat-trick, only for Jake Weatherald to drive his full ball for three runs.
Weatherald required a crucial innings to secure his place at the top of the order, but he fell again for five after leaving a delivery that turned back sharply.
Marnus Labuschagne joined Travis Head but added only eight runs, edging Tongue to Root in the slips.
Head reached 46 before Carse’s excellent delivery bowled him, beating the outside edge. The dismissals of Khawaja (0) and Carey (4) in nine balls swung the momentum back to England.
Following a lunch score of 98-6, Cameron Green (19) fell as the seventh wicket, edging a rising delivery from Stokes to Harry Brook in the slips.
Neser and Starc were sent back by Carse for ducks, and Richardson fell to Stokes, with the final four wickets costing only 13 runs, leaving Steve Smith unbeaten on 24.
What did Ben Stokes say about England’s win over Australia?
England’s captain Ben Stokes said,
“A good feeling, a tough tour up to now. After the build-up to the Test, a lot thrown our way, to put in a performance on the back of all that, and beat a very good Australian team, a lot of credit has to go to players, staff and management for keeping the focus on cricket.”
He added,
“Very proud. We showed bravery and were courageous.”
What did Steve Smith say about the MCG pitch and Australia’s struggle?
Australia captain Steve Smith said,
“It was a tricky one, a quick game. If we had got 50-60 more in both innings, then things might have been different. The wicket played as expected, but once the ball softened, it didn’t quite behave the way I’d hoped.”
Commenting on the MCG pitch, he added,
“When you see 36 wickets fall in two days, that probably tells you it did a bit more than intended.”
What were the scores in the Australia vs England Ashes test?
Australia – 1st Innings (all out 152 in 45.2 overs, put in to bat):
- Bowlers: Josh Tongue 5-45, Gus Atkinson 2-28, Ben Stokes 1-25, Brydon Carse 1-42
- Batsmen: Michael Neser 35, Usman Khawaja 29, Alex Carey 20
England – 1st Innings (all out 110 in 29.5 overs):
- Batsmen: Harry Brook 41 (34 balls), Gus Atkinson 28 (35 balls)
- Bowlers: Michael Neser 4-45, Scott Boland 3-30, Mitchell Starc 2-23, Cameron Green 1-0
Australia – 2nd Innings (all out 132 in 34.3 overs):
- Bowlers: Brydon Carse 4-34, Ben Stokes 3-24, Josh Tongue 2-44
- Batsmen: Travis Head 46, Steve Smith 24* (not out), Cameron Green 19
England – 2nd Innings (178-6 in 32.2 overs, target 175):
- Batsmen: Jacob Bethell 40 (46 balls), Zak Crawley 37 (48 balls), Ben Duckett 34 (26 balls)
- Bowlers: Jhye Richardson 2-22, Scott Boland 2-29, Mitchell Starc 2-55