After enduring three consecutive defeats in the ongoing 2025-26 Ashes series, England finally found a breakthrough with a victory in the fourth Test. The match, which began on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), was highly anticipated as a fierce contest between the traditional rivals. However, the game took a dramatic and unexpected turn, concluding in less than two days of play.
Josh Tongue admits he was potentially retiring before game-changing Test win
The clash was defined by a staggering collapse of batting lineups, as a total of 36 wickets fell within just six sessions. Despite the chaotic nature of the pitch, England showed enough resilience to secure a hard-fought four-wicket win. The standout performer was undoubtedly Josh Tongue, who spearheaded the bowling attack by claiming five wickets in the first innings and adding two more in the second to dismantle the Australian order.
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I was retiring, but I'm glad that I put in the hard work to get myself back: Josh Tongue
Reflecting on his historic performance after the match, Tongue shared an emotional perspective on his journey to the MCG. He admitted that he had previously come very close to retiring from the sport due to persistent injury struggles. Speaking to the press, he expressed his disbelief at the turnaround in his fortunes, describing the experience of leading England to an Ashes victory at such a legendary venue as an almost unbelievable milestone.
“It's what dreams are made of. Obviously, waking up on Boxing Day, there were a few nerves. But to get a 'fifer' and get my name on the honours board, it's a really special feeling,” Tongue said in the post-match presentation.
“I'm 100% glad I stuck with the sport. I was in a tough situation with my body and stuff. I was potentially retiring, but I'm glad that I put in the hard work to get myself back playing cricket and now playing for England. It's what I've always wanted to do,” he added.
Meanwhile, England captain Ben Stokes was full of praise for Josh Tongue’s game-changing performance. Stokes highlighted the pacer’s resilience and skill, noting that his contribution was a decisive factor in England finally breaking their losing streak in the series.
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“He's just got that natural wicket-taking ability that is so hard to come by. He should be very, very proud of the way that he's operated this game. Bowled some long, big spells, and he's also backed it up,” Stokes said after the match.