England win staggering two-day Test in Melbourne
Fourth Ashes Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground (second day of five)
Australia 152: Neser 35; Language 5-45 & 132: Head 46; Carse 4-34
England 110: Creek 41; Neser 4-45 & 178-6: Bethell 40, Crawley 37
England won by four wickets; Australia leads the series 3-1
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England ended an 18-match winless streak in Australia and avoided a clean sweep of the Ashes in a stunning and absurd two-day Test in Melbourne.
In one of the most bizarre matches ever played, England chased down 175 to win on the second night of the fourth Test, leaving the series at 3-1 heading into the final in Sydney.
In fiendishly difficult hitting conditions, England’s Bazballers rejoiced in the chaos when they finally found a situation in Australia suitable for their freewheeling method.
They achieved their goal in 33 overs, England’s four-wicket victory delighting the thousands of traveling supporters who finally had something to celebrate on a so far miserable tour.
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The chance of a first Test victory in Australia since 2011 was created when England dismissed the home side for 132 in their second innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Brydon Carse claimed 4-34 and captain Ben Stokes 3-24 to make up for the loss of Gus Atkinson, who is doubtful for the fifth Test after suffering a hamstring injury.
To add to the silliness, Carse then came in as pinch-hitter at number three after Crawley and Ben Duckett hit 51 in 6.5 overs – England’s highest opening partnership of the series.
Crawley made 37, Duckett 34 and Jacob Bethell justified his recall with an elegant 40.
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The winning runs came off Harry Brook’s thigh, provoking a deafening roar from the England fans’ corner at the end of a breathtaking day.
Chaotic, frenetic and memorable Melbourne
Where do we begin to make sense of this chaotic, frenetic and memorable Boxing Day match? It was the 2,615th test recorded and the 27th to be completed in two days.
Until this series began in Perth in November, there had not been two-day Ashes cricket since 1921. There are now two in five weeks – the first series between teams to contain two two-day Tests since 1896.
Was the pitch, covered with 10mm of lush grass, suitable for Test cricket? This certainly gave the ball an advantage over the bat that bordered on unfair. Yet that doesn’t take away from the quality of the bowling, nor does it excuse some of the batting, with Australia being particularly guilty.
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Test cricket is a rich tapestry: no other sport presents such a diversity of conditions having such an influence on the outcome. On this occasion the conditions may have produced some cricket of questionable quality, but the theater was entirely convincing.
Yes, there is the disappointment of missing out on a sold-out third day at the colossal MCG, but the nearly 200,000 people in attendance for the two days of action can’t say they weren’t royally entertained.
At the end of it all, England secured their first Test victory in Australia for almost 15 years. It comes after the tourists dropped out of the series during three Tests and follows reports of excessive drinking while on holiday in Noosa.
That could ease some of the pressure on captain Stokes, coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key. At the very least it gives England greats Stokes and Joe Root their first win in Australia after 12 years of trying.
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Bazball’s day in the sun
On this surface, attack was the best form of defense – ideal for an England team ‘running towards danger’. Rightly criticized for its inability to adapt to the conditions at the start of the series, it was the perfect scenario for some Bazballing.
Duckett endured a difficult tour with the bat, made worse when a video of the apparently drunken opener in Noosa was shared online. Here, the traveling fans chanted his name as he slashed and slashed England to a fast start, even past Michael Neser over the wicketkeeper for six.
Crucially, Duckett was dropped by a diving Mitchell Starc on his follow-up on eight – England were 13-0 at the time. Surprised, Duckett gave England a run-up before being hit by Starc.
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Carse’s promotion from number 10 to number three was astonishing, as England sought further impetus from a pinch-hitter. By this point, Crawley was in his stride, planting Neser for a straight six.
Carse slipped just six before moving to third man, and Bethell’s arrival marked the start of orthodox Test cricket. His partnership with Crawley added 47, the third-wicket pair astutely taking the singles allowed by a deep Australian field.
Crawley bowled Scott Boland to go in weight when England still needed 63. Bethell remained unfazed on his Ashes debut, adding another important 25 with Root before slapping Boland to cover.
It would have been fitting for Root or Stokes to have been on the field once the victory was over, although both were sidelined when victory was within reach.
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There was a hint of tension when Jamie Smith faced his first ball with 10 needed to win, only for his clip over Starc for three to put the Barmy army back on their feet.
Victory was sealed in the next match, with England players streaming onto the field to salute the fans who filled this cathedral of Australian sport with joyous chants.
England bowlers prepare for victory
Starting the day 46 runs behind, England needed to continue the fast-forward cricket of a 20-wicket opening day to stay in the Test.
Their bowlers once again made use of the conditions useful, managing to absorb the loss of Atkinson, who limped off after being caught by nightwatchman Boland.
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It was only when Travis Head made 46, the highest individual score of the match, that Australia looked like they were coming out on top. Will Jacks’ fall when Head was 26 could have been costly in the context of a low-scoring game.
Carse found a full length for his best spell of the series, Bowling Head with a beauty. Josh Tongue finished with seven wickets in the match and Stokes bowled within himself but found the perfect pace for the field.
Although wicketkeeper Smith and the slippery fielders were often too deep, England caught well. At various times Australia lost three wickets for six runs, three for two, and suffered a final slip of four for 13 to leave Steve Smith unpartnered on 24, not out.
Overall, Australia were bowled out twice in the match in 79.5 overs, the fastest they have lost 20 wickets in a Test since Don Bradman’s debut in 1928.
