Rare record as England finishes Boxing Day Test in just two days

Staff Report: PNN

After 14 years of frustration, England finally broke their drought in Australia. Their last Test win on Australian soil was in 2011. At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Joe Root and Ben Stokes’ side secured victory in just two days in the Boxing Day Test against Australia.

This set a rare record in Ashes history: two Test matches in the same series concluded within two days for the first time in 129 years. Previously, only the Perth Test had ended in two days. Overall, the first four Tests of the current Ashes series concluded in just 13 days.

From the start, the pitch proved challenging for batsmen. On the first day, 20 wickets fell. Australia was all out for 152 in their first innings, with England replying with 110. The match was still finely balanced.

In their second innings, Australia failed to post a large total, bowled out for 132 thanks to excellent English bowling, with Brydon Carse taking four wickets. England’s chase of 175 saw an initial partnership between openers Jack Crawley and Ben Duckett, but Duckett fell for 34. Despite losing key wickets in the middle order, Jamie Smith and Harry Brook held firm to secure a historic win.

This victory ended England’s long-standing struggles in Australia and added drama to this Ashes series.