Ashes Test 4 Day 2 : England Script Historic Ashes Win at MCG in a Two-day Thriller
History was rewritten at the MCG as England finally tasted Test victory in Australia after nearly 14 years, sealing a memorable Boxing Day triumph inside two days. In a match that defied convention and records alike, England chased down a modest but tricky target with trademark aggression under Ben Stokes’ leadership. While the urn may already be out of reach, this win marked a defining moment in England’s Ashes journey — one built on intent, courage, and belief.
Australia vs England – 4th Ashes Test • Day 2
The Ashes 2025/26 • Melbourne Cricket Ground
Match Progress Till Last Day’s Stumps
By the close of Day 1, the Test had already raced at a breathless pace. Twenty wickets had fallen, leaving Australia slightly ahead but far from secure. After being dismissed cheaply in the first innings, England responded with discipline and intensity with the ball, forcing Australia into another collapse early on Day 2. When the hosts were bundled out for just 132, England were set a target of 175 — a chase that looked attainable but dangerous on a surface offering movement throughout. The stage was set for a decisive final innings.
Day-2 Summary
Pakistan’s public figures, ex-cricketers, and media personalities have come forward to support Naqvi’s audacious move. Figures like Shoaib Malik, Basit Ali, and even government-aligned journalists have framed his action as a stand against disrespect, not theft.
🗣️ "Today, as much as it means to us as players, I know what that’s going to mean to all the travelling fans."
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 27, 2025
Our skipper hails our incredible support and reflects on victory in the Boxing Day Test 👊 pic.twitter.com/en7wTxJorG
Player of the Match - Josh Tongue - 7 Wickets in the Match
Josh Tongue deserved the Player of the Match award for his crucial contribution of 5 / 45 and 2 / 44 that defined the Boxing Day Test and tilted the game decisively England’s way. Tongue was outstanding with the new ball and again when conditions were at their most hostile, finishing with five wickets in Australia’s first innings and following it up with two more in the second, repeatedly exposing the hosts’ technical uncertainty. On a surface where discipline mattered as much as pace, Tongue hit the hard lengths relentlessly, extracted steep bounce, and forced false shots throughout Australia’s batting line-up. His bursts triggered collapses in both innings, leaving England with a manageable fourth-innings target and setting up their first Test win in Australia since 2011. In a match that lasted barely two days, Tongue’s impact was constant — and ultimately match-winning.
Session-wise breakdwon
Morning Session: England Finish the Job with the Ball
England struck early and often in the morning, dismantling Australia’s lower order with ruthless efficiency. Any hope of resistance was snuffed out as wickets fell in clusters, with Australia offering little application against disciplined seam bowling. The hosts folded for 132, setting England a target of 175 — modest on paper but challenging given the pitch’s variable bounce and lateral movement. England walked off the field buoyant, knowing the game was firmly in their hands if they batted with clarity.
Afternoon Session: Openers Set the Tone for a Historic Chase
England’s chase began with intent written all over it. Duckett and Crawley came out swinging, putting pressure back on Australia’s quicks and racing to a brisk fifty-plus stand. There were moments of fortune and edges that flew safe, but the scoring never stalled. Even when Duckett fell and England experimented with a bold promotion up the order, the momentum stayed intact. By tea, England were well ahead of the required rate, having deflated both the bowlers and the crowd.
Final Session: Nerves, Stumbles, and a Calm Finish
The final session brought a brief wobble as Australia clawed back a couple of quick wickets, including the prized scalps of Root and Stokes. For a moment, the ghosts of past tours seemed ready to return. But Harry Brook and Jamie Smith held their nerve superbly, absorbing pressure before finishing the chase with quiet assurance. When the winning runs finally came, England’s long wait ended — not with chaos, but with calm conviction.
Top Performers of the Day
Harry Brook – The Finisher England Needed
Harry Brook once again showcased his growing maturity in Test cricket. Walking in during a tense phase of the chase, Brook resisted the urge to over-attack and instead focused on rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. His composure stood out as wickets fell around him, and he ensured England never slipped into panic. Brook’s ability to blend aggression with restraint made him the perfect closer in a high-pressure Ashes chase.
Brydon Carse – Relentless with the Ball
Brydon Carse was England’s standout bowler on Day 2, delivering a spell that broke Australia’s resistance completely. His pace, bounce, and discipline forced mistakes, particularly from Australia’s middle and lower order. Carse’s wickets came at crucial junctures, preventing any meaningful partnerships from forming. It was a performance that underlined his growing importance in England’s bowling attack.
Post Match Presentation
Ashes Test 4 Day 2 Highlights
What this win means
With the Test wrapped up inside two days, attention now shifts to the broader implications for the series. England will take immense confidence from finally cracking Australian conditions, while Australia will be left searching for answers after a rare Boxing Day defeat. The remaining Tests promise renewed intensity, with England eager to build momentum and Australia determined to reassert dominance.
