England and Australia met in the fourth Test of the Ashes series in Melbourne, where England recorded a memorable victory after nearly 15 years on Australian soil. The match concluded inside two days, marking a rare and significant result.

Despite having already lost the series by dropping the first three Tests, England claimed a four-wicket win in the Boxing Day Test. This success ended a long wait for an English Test victory in Australia in the longest format of the game. Chasing a modest target of 175 runs, England reached 178 for six in 32.2 overs. Zak Crawley scored 37 and Ben Duckett added 34 to provide a solid opening partnership. Jacob Bethell was the highest scorer with 40. Brydon Carse managed 6, Joe Root contributed 15, and captain Ben Stokes was dismissed for 2. Harry Brook (2 not out) and Jamie Smith (3 not out) guided the team to the finish. For Australia, Scott Boland, Richardson, and Mitchell Starc picked up two wickets each.

Australia began the second day at 4 without loss but were bowled out for 132 in 34.3 overs, setting England a target of 175. Travis Head top-scored for the hosts with 46, while the rest of the batting lineup struggled. Scott Boland made 6, Jake Weatherald 5, Marnus Labuschagne 8, Usman Khawaja was out for 0, Cameron Green scored 19, Michael Neser was dismissed without scoring, Mitchell Starc made 0, and Richardson added 7. Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 24.

England’s bowlers dominated, with Brydon Carse claiming four wickets, Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes taking two each, and Gus Atkinson chipping in with one. Josh Tongue, who finished the match with seven wickets across both innings, was named Player of the Match.

The contest was heavily bowler-friendly throughout. A total of 20 wickets fell on the opening day, followed by another 16 on day two. Notably, no batter from either side managed to score a half-century during the entire Test.