England registered their first Test win on Australian soil in 15 years, salvaging their battered pride with a gutsy four-wicket victory in the Boxing Day Ashes clash that was all over inside two days at MCG.
The Three Lions bundled out Australia for 132 soon after lunch on Day 2, which left them chasing 175 to win. In the fourth innings, the tourists came out all guns blazing as Ben Duckett (34 off 26) and Zak Crawley (37 off 48) approached the chase like a T20.
Australia did manage to get breakthroughs at regular intervals, but they came too little too late, and in the end, Jacob Bethell (40) and Harry Brook (18*) ensured that the Ben Stokes-led side reached home for the loss of six wickets.
After England avoided any danger of an Ashes whitewash, skipper Stokes praised his team for showing a lot of character under pressure.
“Yeah, really good. It’s been a massive effort from everyone, and to come out on the right side of the result feels really special. Hopefully it means a lot. We play for a lot of people - not just ourselves. The support we get, wherever we go in the world, is incredible. The noise, the chants, the constant backing - the lads out in the middle hear it, feel it, and thrive off it. I know a lot of our fans will be buzzing right now,” Stokes said while speaking at the post-match presentation.
“(The build up to this game and how satisfying to win the game) Definitely very satisfying. There was a fair bit going on in the build-up to this match, a lot being thrown our way. For the lads to come out, stay focused, and perform the way they did says a lot about the character in this team. Huge credit to the players, support staff, and management for keeping everyone locked in on what mattered - playing good cricket,” he added.
The Melbourne pitch was prepared with 10 millimetres of grass on the wicket, making it heavily favourable for the bowlers. As many as 20 wickets fell on the opening day while 16 wickets crumbled on the second day, with no batter managed to hit a half-century across the match.
Sharing his two cents on the pitch, Stokes said: “We knew it wasn’t straightforward (chase). The pitch had plenty in it, and the bowlers were always in the game. The message was to stay positive, not let the bowlers settle, and make them keep running in and hitting those tough areas. I thought the way we balanced intent with discipline was brilliant. It took courage, but the lads handled it superbly.”
The visiting captain was effusive in praise of youngsters like Josh Tongue and Jacob Bethell.
“Yeah, absolutely. Josh has been outstanding. To come out on Boxing Day in front of a massive crowd and take five wickets.. that’s something really special. Every time he’s pulled on an England shirt, he’s given everything. And Bethell as well - the partnership he helped build in tricky conditions was really important. Seeing younger players stand up in moments like this is fantastic,” Stokes concluded.
