MELBOURNE: England completed a dramatic four-wicket win over Australia in the fourth Test of the Ashes at Melbourne on Saturday after a low-scoring contest dominated by fast bowlers.
Set a target of 175, England were bowled out for 110 in their first innings before recovering in the second to reach 178 for six, sealing victory late on day two. Australia were dismissed for 152 and 132 across their two innings.
The match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground saw collapses from both sides.
Australia’s first innings was undone by Josh Tongue, who claimed five wickets, while Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse provided strong support. Michael Neser was Australia’s top scorer with 35.
England’s reply faltered early as Mitchell Starc and Neser tore through the top order, leaving them reeling at 16 for four. A counter-attacking 41 from Harry Brook steadied the innings briefly before they were bowled out for 110.
In Australia’s second innings, Travis Head scored a fighting 46 but the hosts were again bundled out cheaply, with Carse and Ben Stokes sharing key wickets.
Chasing 175, England lost early wickets but held their nerve, finishing the job with four wickets in hand.
Jacob Bethell contributed 40 and Zak Crawley 37.
"A good feeling, a tough tour up to now," said England skipper Ben Stokes.
"After the build-up to the Test, a lot thrown our way, to put in a performance on the back of all that, and beat a very good Australian team, a lot of credit has to go to players, staff and management for keeping the focus on cricket.
"Very proud. We showed bravery and were courageous."
England crashed in the first three Tests and came to Melbourne under enormous pressure amid questions about their limited preparations and allegations of excessive drinking during a mid-series beach break.
But they finally came good and will head to Sydney for the fifth and final Test brimming with confidence.
England had not won a Test in Australia since January 2011 at Sydney, losing 16 and drawing two since, and openers Crawley and Ben Duckett had a clear objective to snap the streak -- play ultra-aggressive "Bazball" style.
Duckett hit a boundary off Mitchell Starc in his first over while Crawley slammed Michael Neser for a six and a four in successive balls.
They brought up a whirlwind fifty opening partnership but next ball Duckett was bowled by a Starc yorker for 34.
Fast bowler Brydon Carse then strode to the middle as a surprise number three in place of Bethell.
But England's pinch-hitting experiment failed as Carse lasted only eight balls before skying Jhye Richardson to Cameron Green.
Crawley fell lbw to Scott Boland after a gritty knock and Bethell was caught by Usman Khawaja from the same bowler.
Richardson trapped Joe Root lbw for 15 and Starc accounted for Ben Stokes for two, but by then only 10 runs were needed and Brook and Smith completed the job.
"It was a tricky one, a quick game," said Australia captain Steve Smith.
"If we had got 50-60 more in both innings then things might have been different. The wicket played as expected, but once the ball softened, it didn't quite behave the way I'd hoped.
"When you see 36 wickets fall in two days, that probably tells you it did a bit more than intended," he added of the MCG pitch.
