Ben Stokes-led England on Saturday, December 27, broke a longstanding jinx to win their first Test Down Under in 15 years, after they beat Australia by four wickets in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, saving themselves some blushes, having lost the series already.
England skittled Australia out for a paltry 132 after lunch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, in front of a bumper crowd of 92,045, after a wicket-laden day one that saw 20 wickets fall.
England were left with a target of 175, which Harry Brook (18) and Jamie Smith (3) chased down, guiding the visitors home with six wickets down amidst huge roars from their travelling ‘Barmy Army’.
“never got whitewashed ( home and away), never lost a test series at home, never got banned,
clean sweep Pakistan 3-0 test series win in NZL, test win in Australia after 15 years. 50%+ test win record. Ben Stokes, the captain, you are special,” a user tweeted on Saturday afternoon.
never got whitewashed ( home and away)
never lost a test series at home
never got banned
clean sweep pakistan 3-0
test series win in NZL
test match win in Australia after 15 years.
50%+ test win record.Ben Stokes the captain you are special. pic.twitter.com/E3agN27SF8
— 🍓 (@19cric) December 27, 2025
“Great to watch England win a test in my Melbourne hotel room with day 3 tickets for the whole family burning a hole in my pocket,” another user tweeted.
Great to watch England win a test match in my Melbourne hotel room with day 3 tickets for the whole family burning a hole in my pocket…
— Alan Davies (@alandaviescomic) December 27, 2025
England had collapsed in the first three Tests and arrived in Melbourne under intense pressure, with questions over their limited preparations and allegations of excessive drinking during a mid-series beach break.
“The Ashes seem to be a sophisticated rivalry. England are trying to wreck Australia by financially straining Cricket Australia, while Australia are trying to give England hope so they will continue with Bazball,” another user wrote.
The Ashes seem to be a sophisticated rivalry, England are trying to wreck Australia by financially straining Cricket Australia, while Australia are trying to give England hope so they will continue with Bazball.
— Karthik (@vijayan58424) December 27, 2025
But England came good and will head to Sydney for the fifth and final Test brimming with confidence.
