The hallowed Ashes rivalry has produced a result that has shocked the cricketing world and raised alarm bells for the format’s future. For the first time in 129 years, two Test matches of a series concluded inside just two days, as England’s four-wicket victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was wrapped up in a breathtaking and brutal fashion on Saturday, December 27.
England’s Historic Ashes Test Triumph Overshadowed By Unwanted History
The Ashes urn may already be out of England’s reach, but history was still written in Australia after years of pain, frustration, and failed attempts. After 15 long years and 18 unsuccessful efforts, England has finally won a Test match on Australian soil again.
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Ben Stokes and Co. crushed Australia by four wickets in the fourth Test of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 on Saturday, December 27, at the MCG in Melbourne. It was England’s first Test win Down Under since January 2011, and the wait has been brutal for them.
This victory means something special for the players like Joe Root and Stokes, who have toured Australia multiple times and endured heartbreak after heartbreak. England showed strong character in the fourth Ashes Test, fighting back when it mattered and refusing to roll over even though the five-match Test series was already slipping away.
Ashes 2025-26 Makes Unwanted History
However, this Boxing Day Test match entered the record books for an embarrassing reason. The fourth Ashes Test ended inside just two days, a rare outcome that left the cricket fraternity stunned and raised serious questions about the balance of the contest.
This was the first time in 129 years that two Test matches of the same series between England and Australia finished inside two days. It was only the fourth instance when a Test match in Australia ended in two days.
https://t.co/8oTr7bxlRE pic.twitter.com/dDCogISuQ3
— Josh Schönafinger (@joshschon) December 27, 2025
The MCG Collapse: How a Test Match Unraveled in Six Sessions
The Boxing Day Test moved very quickly right from the start, with neither team able to settle at the crease at the MCG. On Day 1, Australia was bowled out for just 152 runs in 45.2 overs. England then came out to bat but struggled even more and was dismissed for only 110 in 29.5 overs.
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England’s collapse led Australia to bat for an over in their second innings before the end of the opening day. The fast pace continued on Day 2.
Australia was again bowled out cheaply, scoring 132 runs in just 34.3 overs. Chasing the easy target of 175 runs, England completed the task on Day 2 with four wickets in hand, finishing the game in just two days.
A Disgrace to Test Cricket: Cricket Australia
After the end of the fourth Ashes Test, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg admitted that the first day of the Test left him deeply worried.
With 20 wickets falling on Day 1, Greenberg revealed that he could not sleep through the night as he thought about the heavy financial losses due to short Test matches.
Todd Greenberg was quoted as saying by SEN Radio: “As mesmerising and fascinating and enjoyable as it was to watch as a fan, we want Test cricket clearly to go on for longer. A simple phrase I’d use is “Short tests are bad for business.” I can’t be much more blunt than that.”