Melbourne, Dec 27 (NationPress) England has brought an end to an almost 15-year drought with a remarkable victory on Australian soil in the fourth Ashes Test, overcoming the hosts by four wickets in a thrilling Boxing Day match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Though the Ashes series remains beyond reach, Ben Stokes’ team delivered a powerful performance, concluding the match in a mere 32.2 overs on Day 2.

The Test concluded within just two days on a pitch that strongly favored fast bowlers, with not a single over bowled by a spinner throughout the match. England set the tone by electing to bowl first on a lively pitch rich with grass, a decision that yielded immediate results. Josh Tongue spearheaded the attack with a five-wicket haul, as Australia was bowled out for 152 in their first innings.

The hosts responded with vigor. England was dismissed for 110, handing Australia a 42-run lead, as Michael Neser took four wickets and Scott Boland claimed three. By the end of Day 1, Australia seemed to be in a strong position, having lost none of their wickets thanks to a steady partnership between Travis Head and nightwatchman Boland.

As Day 2 commenced, Australia held a solid lead, but the momentum shifted quickly. Head looked threatening once more, advancing to 46 before Brydon Carse shattered his stumps, igniting a collapse. England surged through the remaining wickets, bowling Australia out for 132, with stand-in captain Steve Smith remaining not out on 24. Consequently, England set themselves a target of 175 runs.

England's response was assertive. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley embarked on an aggressive chase, treating it like a limited-overs match. Duckett scored 34 off 26 balls before being dismissed by a precise yorker from Mitchell Starc, while Crawley added a quick 37.

Although Australia made a brief comeback by removing Joe Root and Stokes in rapid succession, the chase remained on track. Jacob Bethell’s composed 40, supported by Harry Brook’s unbeaten 18, guided England home comfortably.

This victory marks England's first Test triumph in Australia since January 2011 at the Sydney Cricket Ground and is also Joe Root's first Test win in Australia after 18 matches, while it is Ben Stokes’ first in 13 games.

The series moves to Sydney for the fifth and final Test on January 4, with England restoring their pride after a challenging Ashes campaign that saw them lose the first three matches in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, allowing Australia to retain the urn.

Brief Scores: Australia 152 & 132 (Travis Head 46, Steven Smith 24; Brydon Carse 4-34, Ben Stokes 3-24) lost to England 110 & 178/6 (Jacob Bethell 40, Zak Crawley 37; Scott Boland 2-29, Jhye Richardson 2-22) by four wickets.