Overview
- England chased 175 to win by four wickets at the MCG, securing their first Test victory in Australia since 2011 with the series now 3-1 to Australia and one match to play.
- The match finished inside two days with 36 wickets falling, after the curator left 10mm of grass that produced pronounced seam movement and drew criticism from former players and both captains.
- CA chief executive Todd Greenberg said short Tests are bad for business and indicated the board may take a closer role in pitch preparation after lost ticket days and likely refunds.
- England’s seamers set up the result, with Josh Tongue taking a career-best five-for, Brydon Carse removing Travis Head en route to 4-34, and Ben Stokes claiming 3-24 in Australia’s second-innings 132.
- Jacob Bethell top-scored for England with a composed 40 in the chase, while Gus Atkinson left the field with a hamstring issue that leaves his Sydney availability uncertain.