AUS vs ENG 4th Ashes Test highlights: England beat Australia by four wickets at MCG

A two-day finish for the second time in the series, but this time, it was England who ended up on the winning side, and they will be pleased to have pulled one back. We have witnessed 13 days of cricket across the four Tests, and let’s hope we are treated to a grandstand finish in the New Year’s Test in Sydney. The fifth and final Test will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from Sunday, 4 January, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 11.30 pm GMT (the previous day). There is plenty of cricket to look forward to in the meantime, with franchise leagues taking centre stage across the globe. Greetings from us for the New Year. Take care, and cheers!

The captain of England, Ben Stokes says that it’s been a tough tour until now, so to get on the right side of the result feels pretty special. Shares that winning after such a long time in Australia means a lot, especially to the Barmy Army and everyone back home. Tells that there was plenty thrown at the team before the game, but the way the players responded deserves huge credit, as does the staff. Adds that he is incredibly proud as the captain. Opines that it was a very tricky wicket, but the positive approach was exactly the right way to go about it. Praises Josh Tongue for the way he backed up his Adelaide performance and says that he gave his all once again. Mentions that Jacob Bethell's knock was crucial and building partnerships was key to them getting over the line.

The captain of Australia, Steve Smith, reflects on the defeat. Calls it a tricky one, expressing his disappointment at losing the game. He feels that 50 or 60 more runs would have made things more interesting. Tells that England bowled really well this morning and were aggressive with the bat as well. Details that they softened up the ball a bit. Adds that the wicket played as expected, but once the ball softened, it didn't quite behave as the way they had hoped. On being asked about his opinion on the pitch, Smith admits that it was a tricky one and probably did a bit too much as 36 wickets in two days is a lot. Also adds that maybe taking a bit of grass off would have made it even. Ends by accepting that's how it was and they just needed to adapt.

Josh Tongue is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for picking 7 wickets in the game, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Shares that this is what dreams are made of, waking up on Boxing Day knowing you’re going to play at the MCG. Admits that there were a few nerves, but it’s a special feeling to get on the honours board. Tells that the Barmy Army have been unbelievable over the past four games, and it’s an amazing feeling to have done it for them. Mentions that a few years ago he was in a tough place with his body and even thought about retiring, so to be here now is incredibly special. States that all the bowlers were exceptional, and to win here at the MCG is something he can’t put into words.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

It is now time to hear from the young Jacob Bethell, who contributed with a composed 40 off 46 in the run chase. He says it was lovely to come in to bat and make an impact. Adds that it feels quicker when the ball is nipping around. Shares that they identified that it was doing a lot. Admits that he didn't show the conviction to hit the bowlers off their lengths in the first innings but he tried to improve on that in the second innings. Highlights that when you are chasing such totals, it is important to be proactive with the bat and get the job done. Shares that it's been special to have his parents supporting him in the crowd. About batting with Root, he mentions that it's always a surreal feeling to share the crease with someone like him. Also shares that he bumped into him a few times on the circuit and that their dads have actually played together. On being asked about how he takes this experience forward, Bethell talks about learning from the moments that went well and taking the confidence forward by also understanding what worked under pressure. Is hopeful that it is something on which he can build the rest of his career.

England's Joe Root is up for a quick chat with Isa Guha. He begins by saying that it means a lot to him, and adds that they showed good character in this game. Feels disappointed to lose the Ashes, but expresses that this win was an important one for them. Mentions that there has been a lot thrown at this team. Adds that it was a fast-forward Test match with the surface presented to them. But appreciates his teammates for adapting to it as much as they could and exploiting the opportunities they got. Tells that they showed a bit of bravery this time with the way they approached things with the bat. Shares that he has been on the wrong side of the result a lot of times here, so he knew what was expected. Also says that the Australians are always good in their conditions. Appreciates Bethell for the way he showed his smarts and skills with the bat. On batting in the final innings, he shares that he was confident by that point and feels a bit disappointed to get out toward the backend. Accepts that it wasn't to be, but says that to win the game was the most important thing for them. Feels really pleased and proud of all the lads, as quite a few of them are on their first tour Down Under. Says to experience a win here will boost their confidence. Ends by stressing on improving more for the final Test in Sydney. 

Did the pitch really ease during the afternoon session, or did the initial assault that pushed the quicks off their lengths simply make it appear that way? Either way, there was still enough in the surface to keep the pacers interested, but Australia needed wickets in clusters to mount a serious challenge, and that never materialised. Neither Crawley nor Bethell could finish the job themselves, and England carried the weight of history after failing to close out a chase earlier in the year at The Oval against India. However, Joe Root and Harry Brook calmed any nerves with a handy little stand, and though Root could not be there till the end, Brook saw the job through to seal the victory.

With 175 to get on a track that had quickened up on Day 2 and one where you were never really set as a batter, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett made their intentions clear straight away and took the attack to the Australian quicks. They succeeded in pushing the pacers off their usual lengths and shrugged off any early nerves. Duckett fell after setting the tone, but his innings forced Steve Smith to spread the field, with Australia not having many runs to play with. While the move to promote Brydon Carse at number three did not come off, Crawley and Jacob Bethell then came together, toned down the aggression, and chipped away at the target against in-and-out fields. 

England were wasteful with the new ball early on Day 2, but Ben Stokes and Josh Tongue showed the way, and just as in the first innings, Australia were loose with some of their shot selection. When Gus Atkinson left the field with a left hamstring issue, the visiting side was left a bowler short, and questions arose about how they would cope. That was when Brydon Carse, who had been inconsistent for much of the game, stepped up for the tourists and finished with a four-wicket haul. Travis Head scored 46, which ended up being the highest individual score of the match, and although Steve Smith hung around, he was left stranded at the other end as Australia could manage only a 174-run lead.

Soon after, England found themselves on the receiving end with the ball darting around off the seam. Harry Brook attempted to put the pressure back on the Australians and enjoyed some success, but not for long enough. A late cameo from Gus Atkinson provided some resistance, yet England could only muster 110. Mitchell Starc did the early damage before Michael Neser and Scott Boland took over. Their combined efforts helped the home side secure a handy 42-run lead. Australia then had one over to negotiate late on the opening day, with Scott Boland sent in as nightwatchman, and he did the job of seeing it through safely.

The Test has unfolded at breakneck speed, so let’s go back to where it all started. On a surface with 10 millimetres of grass, the pacers from both sides made the most of the conditions as 20 wickets tumbled on the opening day. Asked to bat first, Australia had a steady start, but their troubles began once Josh Tongue was introduced into the attack. There was no partnership of real substance apart from a stand between Cameron Green and Michael Neser after they had slipped to 91/6. Once England broke that resistance, they swiftly mopped up the tail to dismiss the hosts for 152, with Tongue finishing with a five-wicket haul.

England finally have a win to rejoice on what has been a tough Ashes tour. Winless in 18 Tests coming into Melbourne, they have broken that drought. Ben Stokes and his men walk over to acknowledge the Barmy Army, who have been with them through thick and thin. Australia will be bitterly disappointed with their batting across both innings, particularly the second, where they failed to build on a handy lead their bowlers had provided.

Jhye Richardson to Harry Brook, FOUR LEG BYES! And that's it. A long time coming for England as they register their first Test win Down Under after January 2011. Aimed at the pads, on a fractionally fuller length. Harry Brook tries to whip that away through the square leg region, but misses. The ball deflects off the pads and races behind to the deep fine leg fence. ENGLAND BEAT AUSTRALIA IN THE BOXING DAY TEST BY 4 WICKETS!

Jhye Richardson to Harry Brook, A full toss, slower one on middle, Brook flicks it to mid-wicket. 

Mitchell Starc to Jamie Smith, Starc bangs in a short one, angling on the leg stump. Jamie Smith ducks underneath it. 

Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, SCORES ARE LEVEL! A full toss around off, Brook smashes it to Green at cover-point. A slight fumble there allows them to pinch in a single. Oh, Starc has overstepped. No Ball called. 

Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, Adventurous! Back of a length, in and around the middle stump line, Harry Brook shuffles a long way across the line and tries to pull it over short fine leg, but misses to get his bat on the ball. 

Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, FOUR! England are just one hit away from a win. Pitched full and on the leg stump, shaping in a touch. Harry Brook flicks it a bit uppishly but between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary. The Barmy Army is up and about as their side needs 3 more.

Mitchell Starc to Jamie Smith, Nicely timed! On middle and leg, on a good length. Jamie Smith prods forward and flicks this through the mid-wicket and square leg gap and they rush back for the third by the time it is hunted in the outfield. England need 7 now. 

Jamie Smith walks out to bat with England needing 10 more runs to win.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Would you believe it? A nothing shot from the English skipper, really. Lands it around off, on a fullish length, and then gets it to nip away late. Ben Stokes is nowhere near the pitch of the ball, but swings away from his body, only to get an outside edge behind. The ball flies over the keeper, where Alex Carey leaps and takes a fine catch over his left shoulder. Ben Stokes perishes on 2 (9) and England are 165/6.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, Fuller ball, on leg, Ben Stokes tries to flick it off the pads, but gets a thick leading edge on the bounce back to Starc.

Jhye Richardson to Harry Brook, Short and going down leg, Brook tries the hook shot, but does not connect.

Jhye Richardson to Harry Brook, Winds it up! He is seemingly not nudging ten singles to get it done. Brook shimmies down the track to smash the full ball downtown, but misses. The ball passes very close to the outside edge before carrying back to Alex Carey. Oh, hang on! Steve Smith has reviewed this for caught behind. Snicko shows a flat line. The on-field decision stays.

Jhye Richardson to Harry Brook, FOUR! Into the gap! Richardson digs one short and on the bodyline. Harry Brook gets into a really nice position on the back foot and pulls it away to deep backward square leg for a boundary. England need 10 runs to win now. 

Jhye Richardson to Harry Brook, Another full ball, slower one at 109.4 kph, outside off, Brook drags it across but mistimes it along the ground to mid on.

Jhye Richardson to Harry Brook, Brook advances on this full delivery, and heaves it off the inner half of the bat, but Scott Boland slides to his left and cuts it off from mid on.

Jhye Richardson to Harry Brook, Tails in on middle and leg, on a fractionally fuller length. Harry Brook solidly blocks it right under the bat. 

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, Pitched fuller and around off, Stokes smashes it down the ground, and beats Starc's attempt to stop on his follow-through, but cannot get past the mid off fielder. 

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, The length is dragged back, on the pads, Ben Stokes steers it through square leg for a couple of quick runs. 

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, Aims the stumps, with a little bit of reverse on a fuller length. Ben Stokes squeezes it out by jamming his bat down in time.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, Pushed down leg, full in length. Stokes misses to flick. Carey does extremely well behind the stumps with a full-length dive to his right.

Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, Over the stumps. A length ball, on off, Ben Stokes steps out of the crease and eases it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, Mitchell Starc is back on with one last effort. Bowls from a wider angle from around the wickets. Short and angling into the batter, Harry hangs back and tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a single. 

Jhye Richardson to Ben Stokes, A pinpoint yorker, in front of the stumps, Ben Stokes jams his bat down in time and shovels it out to the bowler. A rhythmic over from Richardson. 

Jhye Richardson to Ben Stokes, Speared fuller, on the leg stump line, watchfully pushed away to mid on by Stokes.

The English skipper, Ben Stokes is in.

Jhye Richardson to Joe Root, OUT! LBW! Richardson gets his second wicket off a peach of a delivery. Tails back into the batter, on a good length, Joe Root plays all over it to defend and wears it on the front pad. Jhye Richardson and the Aussies behind the batter confidently appeal for LBW, and the umpire, Kumar Dharmasena, instantly raises his finger. And almost immediately, Joe Root sends it for a review. No bat involved and the Ball Tracking comes up with the umpire's call as the ball clips the leg stump. Joe Root cannot get his side through as he departs on 15 (38). England are 158/5, requiring another 17 runs.

Jhye Richardson to Joe Root, An attempted yorker, on middle and leg, Root clips it to short mid-wicket. 

Jhye Richardson to Joe Root, Serves it up, full and on middle, Joe Root gets on the front foot and cracks the straight drive with a stable head. The ball, however, slows in the outfield and mid on chases it down. Two taken.

Jhye Richardson to Joe Root, A bit of reverse on this one from a length, curving into the pads, Joe Root tries to nudge it around the corner, but misses and wears high on the thigh pad. Oh dear! Another No Ball for overstepping. England need 19 more runs.

Jhye Richardson to Joe Root, Lands it full and outside off, Joe Root leans on the front foot and drives it straight to extra cover.

Jhye Richardson to Joe Root, At 130.1 kph, this is bashed on a length, outside off. Joe Root cuts it off the back foot to backward point. Richardson has overstepped and No Ball is signalled by the on-field umpire.

Michael Neser to Harry Brook, Angling on the leg stump, Harry flicks this full ball to mid on.

Michael Neser to Joe Root, Length ball, outside off, slashed off the back foot to the right of backward point. Jake Weatherald dives to his right and makes a half stop, allowing the batters to rush for a single.

Michael Neser to Joe Root, Back of a length, fairly outside off, skidding through. Joe lines up for a square cut, but gets rushed into the shot and misses. Quick glovework by Carey who is up to the wickets. He flashes off the bails but Root is glued in the crease.

Michael Neser to Harry Brook, Short of a length, outside off, Brook plays it late off the back foot and guides it with the pace to deep third for a single. England need 22 more.

Michael Neser to Harry Brook, FOUR! That's punished with authority! A friendly half volley from Neser, around off. Harry Brook accepts the invitation and smokes it over mid off for a cracking boundary. 150 UP FOR ENGLAND!

Michael Neser to Harry Brook, Just outside off, on a good length, Brook stands deep in the crease and guides it between gully and backward point for a couple of runs.