Explained: How England levelled India’s WTC record with rare Test win over Australia at MCG

The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground reached a chaotic and premature conclusion, wrapping up in just two days. England secured a rare victory on Australian soil, marking their first Test win in the country in 15 years and snapping a 19-match winless streak that dated back to 2011.

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England equal India’s WTC record after breaking Australia hoodoo in Tests

With this victory, the Ben Stokes-led England have now recorded 35 total wins in World Test Championship (WTC) history, moving into a joint-second place tie with India. While they still trail Australia’s record of 39 wins, the milestone highlights England's long-term persistence in the format even amidst a challenging series down under.

Australia - 39
India - 35
England - 35
South Africa - 25

How did the match unfold?

Talking about the match, England secured a historic four-wicket victory over Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, successfully ending a grueling 18-match winless streak on Australian soil. Despite widespread criticism of a nightmare MCG pitch that offered little relief for batters, England displayed immense grit to navigate the treacherous conditions. The match was a low-scoring thriller from the start; after England's bowlers initially skittled Australia for 152, the visitors seemingly surrendered their advantage by collapsing for just 110 in their first innings.

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Trailing by 42 runs, England appeared to be on the back foot, but they responded with a brilliant bowling performance in the second session to rattle Australia for 132. Tasked with a chase of 175 runs on a volatile surface, England’s batting unit showed significant resilience, eventually crossing the finish line with four wickets to spare. This victory marked their first Test win in Australia since January 2011, restoring some pride in a series where they had already been defeated.

While the Ashes urn remained with Australia following their 3-1 series lead, the match carried significant weight for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). Despite the loss, their first of the current cycle, Australia maintained their stronghold at the top of the table with a points percentage (PCT) of 85.71 per cent. England, bolstered by the 12 points earned at the MCG, saw their PCT rise to 35.18 per cent, though they remain in seventh place as they look toward the final Test in Sydney.