England Break the Curse at MCG, Ashes Reaches its Climax
Ben Stokes’ England finally found a way to breathe life into the Ashes. A 4-wicket win at the MCG has ended a drought that stretched back more than 14 years. It was England’s first Test victory over Australia away from home since January 2011, when they won at the SCG. The wait lasted 5,468 days.
The win has avoided a whitewash and brought the series to 3–1. With one Test left, England will head to Sydney with some relief.Â
The fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025/26 will begin on January 4 at the SCG. It will also mark the end of a series that has swung sharply in Melbourne.Â
But England’s victory came with mixed feelings. The Boxing Day Test ended inside two days, leaving a packed MCG crowd disappointed. The pitch later received an “unsatisfactory” rating from the ICC. Under the four-tier system, that rating describes a surface that “does not allow an even contest between bat and ball… by favouring the bowlers too much.” It was the second 2-day Test of the series, after Perth, which was rated “very good.”
Australia Form Guide:
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Australia’s defeat at the MCG ended a run of 6 straight Test wins.
Australia Team News
Steve Smith returned to captain the side in Pat Cummins’ absence. Cummins had already been ruled out of the remainder of the series after Australia sealed the Ashes in Adelaide.
Usman Khawaja batted his way back into the side in Adelaide. The 39-year-old’s place had come under scrutiny after Travis Head was promoted to open. Head is the highest run-scorer in the series with 437 runs at an average of 54.62. Australia coach Andrew McDonald said selectors have received no indication about Khawaja’s playing future and confirmed his selection for Sydney, while also admitting the batting unit has not functioned at full capacity.
Cameron Green’s role remains a talking point. He has batted in 5 different positions in his last 5 Tests. His scores of 24, 45, 0, 7, 17 and 19 have led to calls for Beau Webster to replace him. Green has scored only one half-century in his last 17 Test innings while Webster has 4 fifties in just 12 innings. Marnus Labuschagne’s lack of intent in the last 2 Tests has also raised concerns after a strong start to the series.
Todd Murphy returned to the squad as cover for the injured Nathan Lyon but did not play at the MCG, with Australia opting for 4 fast bowlers. Jhye Richardson made his Test return, ending a four-year wait.
Mitchell Starc will lead the attack again in Sydney. He took 10 wickets in Perth, 8 at the Gabba, 4 in Adelaide and 4 in Melbourne. That makes it 26 wickets in this Ashes. He has now taken 55 Test wickets in 2025, becoming the first bowler to reach 50 this year. Scott Boland has also been effective, with 27 wickets in his last 5 Tests. Michael Neser took 4 wickets in the on his return at MCG.
Australia Ashes Squad:
Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Probable XI:
Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland
England Form Guide:
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England finally tasted victory after 3 straight Ashes defeats and 4 consecutive losses overall.
England Team News
Before Melbourne, England had been beaten across all departments during the ongoing Ashes. At the MCG, their fast bowlers stepped up. Brydon Carse took 5 across the match. Gus Atkinson claimed 3 while Ben Stokes took 4. Josh Tongue justified his selection with 5 wickets in the first innings and 2 in the second.
England’s pace injury list has another addition. Gus Atkinson will miss the Sydney Test with a left hamstring injury.
Mark Wood was ruled out earlier with a knee issue. Jofra Archer suffered a left-side strain after Adelaide and is also unavailable.
England have chosen not to name a replacement. Matthew Potts could return, earning his 11th Test cap and first in 12 months. He has 36 wickets at an average of 29.
Joe Root remains England’s key batter. He finishes 2025 with 4 Test hundreds, the second-most this year, at an average above 50.
Only Gill, Head and Rahul have more runs. Harry Brook is fifth, with 771 runs in 10 matches at 45.35. Jacob Bethell replaced Ollie Pope at the MCG and scored 1 (5) and 40 (46).
Josh Tongue continues to impress. He followed his 4-wicket spell in Adelaide with 7 wickets in Melbourne. He now has 33 wickets in his last 6 matches, the same number Stokes has taken in his last 9.
England Ashes Squad:
Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue
England Playing XI:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue
Ashes 2025/26 Schedule
1st Test, Perth: Australia won by 8 wickets
2nd Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 8 wickets
3rd Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 82 runs
4th Test, Melbourne: England won by 4 wickets
5th Test, Sydney: January 4-8
England have broken the drought. Australia still hold the urn. Sydney now awaits the final chapter of the Ashes after a short New Year’s break.