England has finally secured a Test match victory in Australia, marking their first win since January 2011. This triumph broke a lengthy losing streak and prevented a series whitewash, as they clinched a tense four-wicket victory on the second day of an exhilarating match in Melbourne.

Chasing a target of 175 to secure their first win in 19 attempts on Australian soil, England got off to a blistering start. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley launched the innings with aggressive intent, amassing 51 runs within the first seven overs. The momentum was maintained by Jacob Bethell, who contributed a crucial 40 runs off just 46 deliveries.

The match featured a peculiar moment that encapsulated its unusual nature, played on a pitch that many deemed below standard. England sent Brydon Carse in at No. 3 shortly before tea purely to attack, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the game. The pitch, with 10mm of grass left on it—3mm more than usual—drew criticism, with former captain Michael Vaughan dismissing it as ‘a joke’.

By the tea break, England had rapidly advanced to 77 for two after only 12 overs, a necessary approach given the pitch’s unpredictability, where a wicket always seemed imminent.

Undeterred, England continued their aggressive strategy. Scott Boland’s first over after tea conceded eight runs, followed by Michael Neser’s over yielding 10. The century mark was reached within just 16 overs. When Boland eventually dismissed Crawley for a significant 37, the partnership had added 47 runs, leaving only 63 runs needed to reach the target.

Harry Brook and Jamie Smith sealed victory at 5.24pm local time and England will go to Sydney in the New Year hoping to limit the score to 3–2 – with Brook’s boundary clinching the win

England sealed their first win on Australian soil since January 2011 and avoided a whitewash 

What felt like many hours earlier, Australia had resumed their second innings on four without loss, a lead of 46, but with critics’ concern over the MCG pitch ringing in both sides’ ears

Bethell delivered a standout moment by striking Mitchell Starc over extra cover for what could be considered the shot of the day. However, his stay ended in frustration when a well-timed cover drive off Boland was caught by Usman Khawaja in the covers.

That made it 137 for four, and it was 158 for five when Richardson won a marginal lbw shout to dispatch Joe Root for 15. With only 10 needed, Ben Stokes edged a wild carve off Star, but Harry Brook and Jamie Smith sealed victory at 5.24pm local time. England will now go to Sydney in the New Year hoping to limit the series damage to 3–2.

What felt like many hours earlier, Australia had resumed their second innings on four without loss, a lead of 46, but with critics’ concern over the suitability of the MCG pitch ringing in both sides’ ears.

Gus Atkinson quickly had nightwatchman Boland caught behind for six, only to add to England’s fast-bowling injury list when he walked off the field feeling his left hamstring after sending down the last delivery of his fifth over.

If that placed more onus on England’s three remaining seamers to take Australia’s nine remaining wickets, they did not flinch. Stokes produced a beauty from round the wicket to bowl Jake Weatherald for five, and it was 61 for three when Marnus Labuschagne edged Josh Tongue low to Root at first slip for eight.

Three wickets then fell in a hurry before lunch. Carse, bowling a fuller length after he wasted the new ball on the first morning, bowled Travis Head for 46, before Khawaja top-edged Josh Tongue to fine leg for a duck, and Alex Carey prodded Carse to Brook at second slip for four.

Michael Neser fell to a sharp return catch by Brydon Carse (pictured) before last man Richardson perished for seven to leave Australia all out for 132 and England with a target of 175

Almost from nowhere, England were back in the game – Australia were 130 ahead with only four wickets in hand. Steve Smith and Cameron Green put on 36 either side of lunch, apparently swinging the pendulum the hosts’ way once more, only for the last four to fall in a rush, just as they had done on day one.

Green steered Stokes to Brook for 19, before Neser fell to sharp return catch by Carse, who then had Starc poking into the slips, both for ducks. With Smith curiously happy to take a single off the first ball of three successive overs, last man Richardson finally perished for seven trying to hit Stokes out of the MCG.

All out for 132, Australia had been dismissed twice in the match for 79.5 overs – the quickest in any Test since the 1928-29 Ashes at Brisbane. Home hopes of another Ashes whitewash are over.