England break 14-year drought with thrilling Ashes victory in Melbourne

WEB DESK: In a gripping conclusion to the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, England clinched their first Test victory on Australian soil in 14 years, narrowly avoiding a series whitewash in the Ashes. Chasing a target of 175, England reached the total with six wickets down, keeping fans on the edge of their seats throughout the day.

The chase was marked by a mix of composure and high-pressure moments. England’s openers set an aggressive tone, but Mitchell Starc broke the initial partnership, dismissing Brydon Carse and ending Ben Duckett’s innings for 34. Zak Crawley and Jacob Bethell steadied the innings, rotating the strike and maintaining the scoreboard.

Bethell shone with a resilient 40, combining clever defence with audacious strokes, while Harry Brook had earlier contributed a notable 41 in the first innings, which saw England post 110.

Australia, batting first and second, posted 152 and 132 runs respectively, with Travis Head top-scoring in the second innings with 46. England’s bowlers, particularly Josh Tong, were instrumental, claiming seven wickets across the match, while Brydon Carse dismantled four Australian batsmen in the second innings, applying consistent pressure.

Joe Root’s dismissal for 15 brought Ben Stokes to the crease, adding to the tension as England inched closer to the target. With just 10 runs required in the late session, England’s young batsmen, especially Bethell and Crawley, displayed remarkable poise, blending careful defence with attacking shots.

Despite England’s victory in Melbourne, Australia retains a commanding 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Nevertheless, this win breaks a 14-year drought on Australian soil and keeps England’s pride and hopes alive in a thrilling Ashes contest.