England vs Australia ends 14-year heartbreak at MCG, Ben Stokes and Joe Root finally celebrate on Australian soil

England vs Australia delivered one of cricket’s most dramatic turnarounds at the MCG on December 26, 2025. After staring down a potential series whitewash while trailing 3-0, England chased down 175 runs to beat Australia by 4 wickets in just two days, breaking a 14-year drought on Australian soil. Ben Stokes and Joe Root finally claimed their first Test victory in Australia after years of heartbreak.

A 20-Wicket Chaos Ignites Box Day Cricket

The Boxing Day Test opened with extraordinary mayhem as 20 wickets fell on day one at the MCG – a spectacular collapse that reshaped the entire match. Australia dismissed England for just 110 after England had bowled the hosts out for 152. The pitch offered demons for bowlers, with seam and pace dominating every session. After this carnage, Australia held a slender 42-run first-innings lead heading into day two.

Ben Stokes won the toss and made the crucial call to bowl first, setting the tone for England’s aggressive intent. Josh Tongue emerged as the star performer, controlling the Australian batting with career-best figures of 5-45. Gus Atkinson supported with 2-28 as Australia crumbled across 45.2 overs. Despite their batting collapse, England’s bowling excellence was undeniable.

Josh Tongue’s Historic Five-Wicket Haul Breaker

Bowler	Figures	Notable Achievement
Josh Tongue	5-45	First English bowler to take 5-wicket haul at MCG Boxing Day Test since 1998
Gus Atkinson	2-28	Consistent support in Australia’s first innings demolition
Ben Neser (Australia)	4-45	Brought Australia back into the contest in England’s first innings
Scott Boland (Australia)	3-30	Helped restrict England’s batting in opening day chaos

Tongue’s five-wicket haul marked a watershed moment in his Test career. The England speedster maintained his remarkable record of dismissing Steve Smith multiple times. His performance wasn’t just statistically brilliant – it demonstrated England’s capacity to compete when the conditions favored fast bowling. Tongue’s achievement represents a 27-year drought-breaker, as no England bowler had claimed a five-fer at this venue’s Boxing Day Test since 1998.

England’s Unlikely Chase Forces Sports History

Ben Stokes and Joe Root spearheaded England’s historic chase as the team pursued 175 runs for victory on day two. The target seemed monumental given the previous day’s batting collapse, yet English determination transformed the narrative completely. Zak Crawley and the batting lineup showed resilience despite the unpredictable pitch. England’s chase reached fruition when they eclipsed the target inside two days.

The victory carries profound significance for both captains. Joe Root achieved something that had eluded him across 16 consecutive Tests in Australia since his debut tour in 2013-14. Ben Stokes experienced his first Test win on Australian soil after years of heartburn in this country. The triumph ends England’s 14-year drought on Australian ground, marking their first victory since 2010-11 when they won 3-1 on home soil.

Whitewash Avoided, Series Lost But Pride Restored

While Australia retains the coveted Ashes urn with a 3-1 series lead, England’s victory provides crucial momentum and psychological uplift heading into the fifth Test in Sydney. The Boxing Day triumph prevents history from recording a devastating 5-0 whitewash, a scenario that would have haunted the England camp. Australia claimed victories in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide before this Melbourne loss. The Ashes series now heads to Sydney’s cricket ground for the final Test, with Australia mathematically unable to lose the series but England fighting for consolation glory.

Brendon McCullum‘s England squad demonstrated fighting spirit against overwhelming odds. This Boxing Day victory proves the tourists possess the capacity to perform under pressure and compete with Australia in decisive conditions. The team avoided repeating the dark chapters of 2006 and 2013 when Australia dominated 5-0, showing character and resilience when backs were against the wall.

Can England Build On This Victory In Sydney To Salvage The Series?

England’s historic Boxing Day triumph at the MCG raises tantalizing questions about momentum and confidence heading toward Sydney. The victory demonstrates that on their day, Stokes’ squad can outclass Australia even when psychological pressure mounts. With one Test remaining, England cannot mathematically win the Ashes series, but they can secure a second victory to claim the final Test and salvage pride.

The Melbourne victory showcases England’s bowling prowess under favorable conditions and their capacity to chase targets successfully. If the Sydney pitch offers similar movement and pace, England possesses the weaponry to compete. This triumph represents more than just cricket statistics – it symbolizes England’s refusal to accept defeat despite being on the brink of humiliation. Whether they can replicate this performance in Sydney remains the compelling narrative heading into cricket’s final chapter of 2025.

“It’s been an amazing day. The pitch was doing quite a bit, and we were able to use that to our advantage.”

— Josh Tongue, England Pace Bowler

Sources

• ESPN Cricinfo – Fourth Ashes Test scorecard and comprehensive match coverage from Melbourne.
• BBC Sport – Live match reports and day-by-day analysis of the Boxing Day Test.
• The Guardian – In-depth coverage of England’s historic victory and player reactions.