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Melbourne, December 27 :
England moved into a strong position in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Day 2. The visitors ended the Tea session at 77/2, chasing a target of 175 runs.
England are now just 98 runs away from ending their 18-match winless Test streak in Australia.
Strong Start Puts England in Control
Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett gave England an aggressive start. The pair added a quick 50-run partnership. It was England’s first opening stand of fifty in this Ashes series.
Duckett played attacking cricket from the start. He hit boundaries against Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser. Crawley also joined the attack with confident stroke play.
England reached the 50-run mark in just 6.5 overs.
Duckett Falls, England Still Steady
Duckett was dismissed soon after the stand. Starc bowled him for 34 off 26 balls. His innings included four boundaries and a six.
Brydon Carse was promoted to number three. He fell cheaply to Jhye Richardson, scoring six runs.
England were 65/2 at that stage. Crawley and Jacob Bethell then steadied the innings. They saw England through to the Tea break without further loss.
At Tea, Crawley was unbeaten on 22, while Bethell was on 9.
Australia Bowled Out for 132
Earlier, England bowled out Australia for 132 runs in their second innings. Australia resumed the session at 98/6.
Captain Ben Stokes struck a crucial blow. He dismissed Cameron Green for 19 runs. The Australian tail collapsed soon after.
Brydon Carse led the bowling attack with 4/34. Stokes picked up 3/24, while Josh Tongue claimed 2 wickets.
Australia were all out in 34.3 overs, setting England a target of 175.
Tongue’s Historic Boxing Day Test Performance
Josh Tongue starred earlier in the match. He took 5/45 in Australia’s first innings. Australia were bowled out for 152 runs.
Tongue became the first England bowler in the 21st century to take a five-wicket haul in a Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
His spell set the tone for England’s dominance in the match.
Match Situation at Day 2 Tea
- Australia: 152 & 132
- England: 110 & 77/2
- Target: 175 runs
- Runs needed: 98
England hold a clear advantage heading into the final session. A win would mark their first Test victory in Australia since 2011.
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