England Ends 14-Year Ashes Drought with Boxing Day Victory in Melbourne
Historic Win for England in Ashes Series
Melbourne [Australia], December 28: England's struggling cricket team has finally secured a victory, breaking a 14-year streak of Australian dominance on their home turf. The win, which took place during a Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), marks England's first Ashes Test victory in Australia in over 5,400 days.
Although the Ashes urn remains with Australia, this triumph was a significant morale booster for the English squad, particularly for younger players who delivered impressive performances. This victory served as a delightful post-Christmas gift for veteran players like skipper Ben Stokes and Joe Root, who have long been the backbone of the team.
Despite the 'Bazball' approach of aggressive play being scrutinized, the focus shifted to the character displayed by the team. Notably, 'Player of the Match' Josh Tongue excelled on a pitch favorable to fast bowlers, taking crucial wickets early in the match and helping to dismiss Australia for just 152 runs.
Tongue's standout performance included taking the wicket of Steve Smith for the third consecutive time, showcasing his ability to challenge top-order batsmen. His five-wicket haul during this Boxing Day Test is a historic achievement, marking the first of its kind for England in Melbourne in the 21st century.
After a challenging period with injuries, Tongue expressed his joy at returning to the game, stating, 'Winning here at the MCG during a Boxing Day Test is a dream come true.' His impressive statistics, including 12 wickets in two Tests at an average of just under 19, highlight his potential as a key player for England moving forward.
In the first innings, England faced early challenges but managed to recover thanks to contributions from Harry Brook and Gus Atkinson. Brook's aggressive batting style, reminiscent of past greats, helped stabilize the innings despite a shaky start.
During Australia's second innings, Tongue, Brydon Carse, and Stokes continued to apply pressure, leading to a swift collapse of the Australian batting lineup. England's bowlers demonstrated their prowess, skittling Australia for just 132 runs.
Chasing a target of 175, England's opening pair set a solid foundation, with contributions from Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. The arrival of 22-year-old Jacob Bethell, hailed as a future star, further bolstered the innings with his confident stroke play.
Despite not finishing the game, Bethell's performance was promising, and he expressed his desire to build on this experience in future matches. Captain Stokes praised Tongue's natural wicket-taking ability, emphasizing the importance of his contributions to the team's success.
As the series moves to Sydney for the final Test, England's younger players have shown they can compete at the highest level, raising hopes for a more respectable series outcome. With injuries affecting key players, the emergence of Tongue and Carse could signal a new era for England's bowling attack.
Whether England concludes the series with a 3-2 scoreline or otherwise, this victory has shattered long-standing barriers and demonstrated that winning in Australia is indeed achievable.