England Secures Historic Victory Over Australia in Boxing Day Test
England Triumphs in Boxing Day Test at MCG
In a thrilling encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), England marked their return to the Ashes series with a remarkable four-wicket win against Australia on December 26. Despite the series already being decided in favor of Australia, this victory provided a much-needed boost to England's morale, with the series score now at 3-1.
Josh Tongue, the fast bowler, was the standout player of the match, earning the Player of the Match title. He delivered an impressive performance, taking 5 wickets for 45 runs in the first innings and 2 for 44 in the second, totaling seven wickets.
After the match, Tongue expressed his joy, stating, "It’s what dreams are made of. Waking up on Boxing Day brought some nerves, but achieving a five-wicket haul and having my name on the honours board is incredibly special."
The atmosphere at the MCG was electric, with Tongue praising the support from the fans. "With 95,000 spectators, the Barmy Army has been phenomenal throughout these matches, especially here. It’s amazing to share this moment with them," he remarked.
Reflecting on his career, Tongue shared that he had faced significant challenges due to injuries and was close to retiring. "I was in a tough spot with my body and considered retirement, but I’m grateful for the hard work that got me back to playing cricket for England, which has always been my dream," he noted.
He also acknowledged the favorable conditions and the collective effort of the England bowling team for their success in Melbourne. "All our bowlers performed exceptionally well, and we knew the conditions suited us from the first day," he added.
Being part of a winning Test team at such a historic venue made the victory even more meaningful for Tongue. He expressed his readiness to bat in the second innings, saying, "100%," when asked if he was prepared.
Summarizing his emotions, Tongue found it hard to articulate the significance of the win. "Winning here at the MCG during the Boxing Day Test is an indescribable joy," he concluded.
In the match, England won the toss and chose to bowl first. Tongue's five-wicket haul marked the first time an England bowler achieved this feat in a Boxing Day Test at the MCG, as Australia was dismissed for 152 runs in 45.2 overs. Michael Neser (35 runs) and Usman Khawaja (29 runs) were the top scorers for Australia, with Neser contributing to a half-century partnership with Cameron Green (17) before a run out triggered a collapse.
England struggled in their first innings, getting bowled out for 110 runs in 29.5 overs, with Harry Brook (41 runs) and Gus Atkinson (28 runs) being the notable contributors. The pitch proved challenging for batters, allowing Neser (4/45) and Scott Boland (3/30) to claim easy wickets, leaving England trailing by 42 runs.
In their second innings, Australia again faltered, managing only 132 runs in 34.3 overs, with Travis Head (46 runs) and Steve Smith (24* runs) being the only players to surpass 20 runs. This set England a target of 175 runs to chase. Brydon Carse (4/34) and captain Ben Stokes (3/24) led the bowling attack for England.
During the chase, England got off to a solid start with a 50-run partnership between Zak Crawley (37 runs) and Ben Duckett (34 runs), followed by a 47-run stand between Crawley and Jacob Bethell (40 runs). Although Australia fought back, reducing England from 112/2 to 165/6, Harry Brook (18*) and Jamie Smith (3*) ensured a memorable victory.