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ENGLAND achieved a remarkable victory from the ruins of their Ashes tour – marking their first Test win in Australia in nearly 15 years.
Zak Crawley and Jacob Bethell made significant contributions as England successfully chased down a target of 175, winning by four wickets.
England achieved a remarkable victory from the ruins of their Ashes tour
England secured their first Test win in Australia in nearly 15 years
England chased down a target of 175 and won by four wickets
England celebrated a significant victory Down Under
They now lead the series 3-1.
The Fourth Test in Melbourne lasted a mere 142 overs and was the second match of the series to conclude in under two days.
This marks the first Test series since 1912 that has seen two matches finish in just two days.
The rapid fall of wickets on a seam-friendly, grass-covered pitch undermined the traditional pace of Test cricket.
While there was a fair amount of poor batting, the groundsman's choice to cut the grass to 10mm instead of the usual 7mm transformed the Test into a gamble.
Many spectators holding tickets for day three – as well as days four and five – will undoubtedly be disappointed.
Additionally, the financial team at Cricket Australia will be anxious about another significant shortfall in gate revenue.
However, after weeks of disappointment and criticism, the players won’t mind. This victory will help lift morale and could potentially safeguard the positions of team director Rob Key and head coach Brendon McCullum.
Captain Stokes appears likely to retain his role.
Not since the Sydney Test in January 2011 – at the conclusion of a series they won 3-1 – has England triumphed in a Test match on Australian soil.
Australia began day two with a lead of 46 runs and ten second innings wickets remaining.
However, they were dismissed for 132 in 34.3 overs, with England’s four seamers each taking wickets on the favorable surface, although Gus Atkinson had to leave the field due to a hamstring issue.
Travis Head, the standout batsman of the series, scored 46, while stand-in captain Steve Smith was left not out on 24, and all-rounder Cameron Green managed 19. They were the only players to reach double figures.
Head was the crucial wicket – bowled by an exceptional delivery from Brydon Carse that pitched on leg stump and hit the top of off stump.
Head’s dismissal triggered a collapse in which Australia lost their last seven wickets for just 50 runs.
England was set a target of 175 to win – the highest total of the match.
The batsmen's strategy was to be aggressive and score as many runs as possible before facing a delivery that could lead to their dismissal.
After a challenging week, Duckett achieved his highest score of the series before being bowled by Mitchell Starc. A score of 34 may not seem impressive, but it came from just 26 balls and helped set the stage for England's success.
England sent fast bowler Carse in at No. 3 to attempt to disrupt the Australian fast bowlers.
This tactic didn’t yield the desired results, but Crawley and Bethell moved England closer to victory.
Crawley was dismissed leg before wicket, and Bethell caught out in the covers.
The young left-hander’s innings of 40 further demonstrated that he is likely to be England’s long-term successor to Ollie Pope at No. 3.
Stokes was also leg before wicket, and he was caught behind after a big swing, but four leg byes from Harry Brook's pads took England over the finish line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was significant about England's recent victory in Australia?
This victory marked England's first Test win in Australia in almost 15 years, reviving hopes for the team during their Ashes tour.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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