15-Year Curse Broken: England Clinch Gutsy 4-Wicket Ashes Win at MCG

England's finally done it. After 15 years of heartbreak on Australian soil, the visitors secured a hard-fought 4-wicket victory in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 27, 2025. The chaotic match wrapped up in just two days, restoring pride to a side that's been under immense scrutiny.

Chaos at the MCG: 36 Wickets in 48 Hours

The match was a whirlwind of pace and falling wickets. According to news agencies, 20 wickets tumbled on the first day alone, a feat not seen in the Ashes since 1909. By the time Harry Brook and Jamie Smith hit the winning runs, 36 wickets had fallen across the two days of play.

Chasing a target of 175, England relied on a gritty 40 from Jacob Bethell and 37 from Zak Crawley. Despite a late wobble where they lost six wickets, the Barmy Army erupted in cheers as the streak of 16 losses and two draws in Australia since January 2011 was finally snapped.

Pitch Controversy and Tactical Bravery

The surface at the MCG didn't escape criticism. With 10mm of grass, former greats labeled it "unfair" for batters. Australia's captain Steve Smith noted the wicket behaved as expected early on but became tricky as the ball softened, admitting the 36-wicket collapse suggests the pitch did more than intended.

England's skipper Ben Stokes praised his team's courage. After crashing in the first three Tests and facing allegations of off-field distractions, the win is a massive morale booster. They'll head to Sydney for the final Test with renewed confidence in their aggressive "Bazball" approach.