England delivered a powerful statement on Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, dismantling Australia for a mere 152 runs in front of a record-breaking crowd. Despite having already conceded the Ashes urn, the tourists produced a vastly improved and disciplined performance, spearheaded by the exceptional fast bowling of Josh Tongue. The Worcestershire paceman claimed a stellar five-wicket haul, ripping through the Australian batting line-up with pace and precision, providing a significant morale boost for his side.
This commanding display marked a stark contrast to England’s previous outings in the series, where they had struggled to match Australia’s intensity and clinical execution, leading to an unassailable 3-0 deficit. Facing widespread criticism regarding their preparation and on-field strategies, Ben Stokes’ side demonstrated renewed vigour, transforming their fortunes on one of cricket’s grandest stages. The performance offered a glimpse of the aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach that had been largely absent in earlier Tests.
Captain Ben Stokes’ decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved astute, as the verdant MCG pitch offered considerable assistance to the seamers under overcast skies. The early breakthrough came in the seventh over when recalled paceman Gus Atkinson struck, removing Australia’s leading run-scorer, Travis Head. Head, attempting a loose drive outside off-stump, dragged the ball onto his stumps for 12, signaling an early advantage for the English attack.
Brydon Carse, initially drafted into the attack, struggled for rhythm, paving the way for Josh Tongue to make an immediate impact from the Shane Warne Stand end. Tongue announced his arrival emphatically, snaking his second delivery past Jake Weatherald’s front pad to graze the edge, sending the left-hander back to the pavilion. He then followed up by decisively beating Marnus Labuschagne, who edged a full, tailing delivery to Joe Root at first slip.
England’s prime target, the obstinate Steve Smith, initially appeared set to anchor Australia’s innings, frustrating the bowlers with his characteristic resilience. However, Tongue unleashed a ‘blockbuster’ delivery that defined his spell: a searing ball that jagged back hard into the right-hander, creating a gaping hole between bat and pad before detonating Smith’s middle stump. The dismissal, which left Australia’s stand-in skipper momentarily perplexed, continued Tongue’s impressive record against Smith, whom he has now accounted for three times in Ashes cricket.
Australia, reeling at 72 for four, failed to recover after the lunch interval, losing their next six wickets in quick succession. Usman Khawaja, who had showed some resistance, eventually nicked Gus Atkinson behind for 29, further deepening the hosts’ woes. The English bowlers maintained relentless pressure, exploiting the conditions and the fragility of the Australian middle order.
The day also showcased a remarkable improvement in England’s fielding, an area that had drawn significant scrutiny throughout the series. Every chance that came their way was held with assurance, and Alex Carey fell victim to a shrewd leg-slip trap meticulously set by captain Stokes. Furthermore, England executed their first run-out in 11 Ashes Tests, a rare direct hit by Brydon Carse off his own bowling, catching Cameron Green short of his ground.
A brief 52-run stand for the seventh wicket between Cameron Green and Michael Neser offered a glimmer of hope for Australia, momentarily stemming the flow of wickets. Yet, this resistance proved fleeting. Green’s hesitation in pursuit of a risky single led to his run-out, and Mitchell Starc soon followed, slogging Carse over mid-on only for Ben Stokes to gather an excellent catch while back-tracking, demonstrating England’s renewed commitment in the field.
With the Australian tail exposed, Josh Tongue returned to deliver the coup de grâce, completing his well-deserved five-wicket haul. He swiftly bowled Michael Neser for a top-scoring 35, a crucial wicket that denied Australia further valuable runs. On the very next delivery, Tongue had Scott Boland caught at second slip, wrapping up the innings and cementing a truly memorable individual performance.
England’s performance was a comprehensive demonstration of professional resolve and skill, silencing critics and injecting much-needed confidence into the squad. From the precise bowling to the sharp catching and agile ground fielding, every aspect of their game was elevated. This display, though too late to reclaim the urn, provided a compelling blueprint for future Test match success and offered a positive conclusion to an otherwise challenging series.
For Australia, the day represented an unexpected collapse, particularly after securing the Ashes with dominant performances in earlier matches. Their batsmen struggled to contend with the disciplined English attack and the lively pitch conditions, failing to build significant partnerships. The sub-160 total highlighted a rare vulnerability in their formidable batting line-up, prompting questions about their ability to adapt when conditions are not in their favour.
The Boxing Day Test, a revered fixture in the cricketing calendar, saw an incredible 93,442 fans pack into the Melbourne Cricket Ground, marking the largest-ever attendance at the venue, surpassing the 2015 World Cup final. The electric atmosphere witnessed a pivotal moment for England, celebrating a performance that, while not altering the series outcome, provided a significant psychological victory and a star-making turn for young Josh Tongue.
