In a frenetic Boxing Day Test that barely lasted two days, a remarkable 36 wickets tumbled as England produced a gutsy, hard-nosed performance to pull one back in the series, which now stands at 3–1 in Australia’s favour.

Bowler-friendly conditions ensured there was never a dull moment at the MCG, with seamers firmly in charge from the outset. Australia struggled to find any fluency in their second innings and were bundled out for just 132 in 34.3 overs, leaving England a modest target of 175 to chase for victory.

Brydon Carse. Photo: Cricinfo

Scott Boland became the first casualty, dismissed for six with the score on 22, as England’s disciplined seam bowling strangled the hosts. Only three Australian batters managed to reach double figures - Travis Head top-scored with a defiant 46, captain Steve Smith added 24, while Cameron Green chipped in with 19.

Brydon Carse was the chief destroyer for England, claiming 4/34 in 11 overs, while skipper Ben Stokes led from the front with 3/24 in a fiery 7.3-over spell. Josh Tongue chipped in with 2/44 to complete the rout.

England’s chase began solidly with a 51-run opening stand before Ben Duckett was bowled for 34 by Mitchell Starc. Australia sensed a faint opening when Carse fell soon after for six, but crucial contributions from Jacob Bethell (40) and Zak Crawley (37) steadied the ship as wickets continued to fall around them.

Travis Head. Photo: Cricinfo

Ultimately, the target proved too modest for the Aussies to defend. England knocked off the winning runs in the 33rd over to seal a famous win and exorcise years of frustration on Australian soil.

Jhye Richardson was Australia's best bowler in the second innings with 2/22 in 5.2 overs, while Boland and Starc each bagged two scalps as well.

After the match, New Zealand-born England captain Ben Stokes admitted the victory was made all the sweeter by the challenges his side had endured on tour.

“It’s a good feeling - it’s been a tough tour up to now,” said Stokes.

“It’s been tough on us as a team, but to be part of a group that wins in Australia after such a long time is very special.”

Ben Stokes. Photo: Cricinfo

Stokes also paid tribute to the travelling supporters and the character shown by his players.

“We play for so many different things. The Barmy Army are very special - the constant noise, the lads in the middle hear it and feel it. There’ll be some sore heads tomorrow.

“After everything thrown our way before this Test, to put in a performance like that against a very good Australian team says a lot about the players, staff and management. I’m incredibly proud.”

The England skipper highlighted the bravery shown in tricky conditions.

Ben Stokes and Joe Root. Photo: Cricinfo

“The cricket was short and sharp and heavily favoured the bowlers, but we went about it exactly the right way. You can’t let bowlers land it constantly - we showed real courage.

“Josh Tongue, what an occasion for him - a five-for in front of a massive crowd. And Bethell played a crucial knock. The partnerships we managed to build were exceptional.”

The fifth and final Ashes Test will get underway at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, 4 January, with play scheduled to start at 1:30am.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek