England produced their best all-round performance of the tour and sealed a famous Boxing Day victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, beating Australia by 4 wickets in the 4th Test of The Ashes 2025–26. The win ended England’s long wait for a Test victory in Australia, with their last win Down Under coming back in January 2011 (SCG).
It was a fast, high-drama Test that finished inside two days, with the pitch offering strong help to the seamers. In the end, England’s brave fourth-innings chase, led by aggressive opening batting and a calm finish, stood out as the difference.
Match Details
Event Information
- Match: Australia vs England, 4th Test
- Series: The Ashes 2025–26
- Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne
- Date: Thursday, 25 December 2025 (Boxing Day Test context)
- Toss: England won the toss and chose to bowl
- Result: England won by 4 wickets
- Player of the Match: Josh Tongue (England)
Full Score Summary
Innings-by-Innings
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Total Match Situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 152 all out (45.2 ov) | 132 all out (34.3 ov) | Set England 175 to win |
| England | 110 all out (29.5 ov) | 178/6 (32.2 ov) | Won by 4 wickets |
How the Match Was Won
England’s Decision at the Toss Paid Off
Ben Stokes made the bold but logical call to bowl first after winning the toss, and England’s fast bowlers delivered immediately. On a surface that had movement and bounce, Australia never settled and were bowled out for 152.
Josh Tongue’s Early Statement
Josh Tongue was the standout with a five-wicket haul (5/45) in the first innings. He hit the deck hard, bowled a tight line, and kept Australia under constant pressure.
Read Also: MCG Sees Record 93,442 Crowd as Australia Take Control
Australia 1st Innings: 152 All Out – No Big Partnership
Australia’s top order struggled for timing and safety. Wickets fell regularly, and even experienced names couldn’t build a foundation.
Top Performers (Australia 1st Innings)
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Michael Neser | 35 |
| Usman Khawaja | 29 |
| Alex Carey | 20 |
Best Bowlers (England 1st Innings)
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Josh Tongue | 5/45 |
| Gus Atkinson | 2/28 |
| Ben Stokes | 1/25 |
England 1st Innings: 110 All Out – Brook Fights Back
England also struggled under the same tough conditions. The innings was short and sharp, with only a couple of counter-attacking knocks pushing them past 100.
Key Contributions (England 1st Innings)
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Harry Brook | 41 (34) |
| Gus Atkinson | 28 |
| Ben Stokes | 16 |
Best Bowlers (Australia 1st Innings Bowling)
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Michael Neser | 4/45 |
| Scott Boland | 3/30 |
| Mitchell Starc | 2/23 |
Despite the low total, Australia managed a first-innings lead, which made the contest feel slightly in their favour at that stage.
Australia 2nd Innings: 132 All Out – England Strike Back Hard
Day 2 changed everything. Australia collapsed again and were bowled out for 132. Travis Head tried to hold the innings together with a gritty knock, but wickets kept falling at the other end.
Top Performers (Australia 2nd Innings)
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Travis Head | 46 |
| Steven Smith | 24* |
| Cameron Green | 19 |
Best Bowlers (England 2nd Innings)
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Brydon Carse | 4/34 |
| Ben Stokes | 3/24 |
| Josh Tongue | 2/44 |
Australia’s second-innings collapse set England a target of 175, and suddenly the game was there for the taking.
England 2nd Innings Chase: 178/6 – Brave Batting Under Pressure
England approached the chase with clear intent: attack early, stop the bowlers from settling, and stay ahead of the pressure. The openers gave England the exact start they needed.
Fast Start Set the Tone
- Ben Duckett (34 off 26) and Zak Crawley (37 off 48) scored quickly and made sure the chase didn’t become a survival mission.
- Their aggressive approach helped soften the ball and reduced the danger later in the innings.
Key Middle Overs
- Jacob Bethell (40 off 46) played a match-defining knock with brave stroke play.
- Joe Root (15) added stability.
- Harry Brook (18)* stayed calm and finished the chase alongside *Jamie Smith (3)**.
England Chase Scorecard Highlights
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Jacob Bethell | 40 (46) |
| Zak Crawley | 37 (48) |
| Ben Duckett | 34 (26) |
| Harry Brook | 18* (22) |
| Joe Root | 15 (38) |
Australia Wicket-Takers in the Chase
| Bowler | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | 2 |
| Scott Boland | 2 |
| Jhye Richardson | 2 |
England crossed the line at 178/6 in 32.2 overs, winning on a dramatic finish that sparked huge celebrations from the travelling fans.
Big Talking Point: A Very Fast Test and a “Tricky” Pitch
This match was played at extreme speed, with 36 wickets falling in just two days. Both captains admitted it was difficult for batters to settle.
What Steven Smith Said After the Match
Australia’s captain felt the game could have swung with just 50–60 extra runs, and noted the pitch offered a little too much help for bowlers. He also mentioned the surface became less responsive once the ball softened.
What Ben Stokes Said After the Match
Stokes praised his team’s focus and bravery, and highlighted England’s intent in the chase as the exact style they want to play in difficult situations.
Records & Key Stats From the Test
England End Long Winless Run in Australia
- England’s last Test win in Australia was January 2011 (SCG).
- This victory ended a long streak of Tests in Australia without a win.
Australia’s Boxing Day Record Since 2011 (Updated)
| Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 10 | 3 | 2 |
(Losses include vs India in 2018 & 2020, and vs England in 2025)
Highest Run-Rates in Successful 150+ Ashes Chases
| Team & Venue | Year | Target | Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia, Perth | 2025 | 205 | 7.23 |
| England, Melbourne (MCG) | 2025 | 175 | 5.50 |
| Australia, Trent Bridge | 2001 | 158 | 5.38 |
Shortest Completed Ashes Tests (by balls)
| Venue | Year | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Old Trafford | 1888 | 788 |
| Lord’s | 1888 | 792 |
| Perth | 2025 | 847 |
| Melbourne (MCG) | 2025 | 852 |
Match Aggregate Without Any 50+ Score
This Test also became one of the rare games where the match total crossed 500+ but no batter scored a fifty.
| Match | Year | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|
| AUS vs ENG, Edgbaston | 1981 | 787 |
| IND vs SA, Nagpur | 2015 | 652 |
| AUS vs ENG, Melbourne | 2025 | 572 |
Player of the Match: Josh Tongue
Josh Tongue had the game of his life in a dream setting. He finished with:
- 5/45 (1st innings)
- 2/44 (2nd innings)
His wickets ensured Australia never got away in either innings, and he proudly earned his name on the MCG honours board.
What This Result Means for the Ashes 2025–26
England’s win doesn’t change the fact that Australia still lead the series 3–1, but it completely changes the mood going into the final Test. After heavy criticism earlier in the tour, England finally found the right method for Australian conditions — disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and fearless batting when chasing.
