Ashes LIVE: Collapse gifts England chance to win first Ashes Test

England finally end their long wait for a win Down Under

It's been a long time coming, but Ben Stokes and England have finally won a Test match against Australia Down Under.

Despite having already lost the urn, the tourists salvaged a lot of pride on Saturday afternoon, bowling Australia out for 132 earlier in the day, before Jacob Bethell starred to help the tourists claim a four-wicket victory.

We'll be signing off on here for now, but if you're still after your cricket fix, our man in Melbourne, Lawrence Booth, has all the latest reaction from the MCG here...

England end 15-year drought on Aussie soil to avoid Ashes whitewash
LAWRENCE BOOTH: England have won their first Test match in Australia since January 2011, avoiding the prospect of a whitewash with a tense four-wicket win on the second day in Melbourne.
08:49

The mind-boggling losses Cricket Australia could incur after two-day Test

Fans and cricket lovers have been left fuming after England claimed a four-wicket victory over Australia inside just two days in Melbourne.

Thousands of fans who had tickets for days three and four at the MCG will now be unable to attend the match, with some former greats hitting out at the pitch at the MCG.

The green top wicket wreaked havoc for batters on both sides, with Michael Vaughan branding it a 'shocker'.

Aussie great Ricky Ponting claimed it was 'doing too much' as Australia collapsed on day two with their batters struggling to deal with the spicy wicket.

There have only been three two-day Test matches in Australia prior to this Ashes series, but we've now seen two in the past month, with 20 wickets falling on day one.

The knock-on effect of the two-day Test will be very costly for Cricket Australia and its stakeholders.

'The simple phrase I'd use is: "Short Tests are bad for business". It can't be much more blunt than that,' Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg told SEN on Saturday.

While the MCG pitch is copping much of the criticism, Greenberg added: 'The batters have some ownership in some of that, it's not all around the pitch, but we've got some challenges.'

'As mesmerising and fascinating and enjoyable as it was to watch as a fan, we want Test cricket clearly to go for longer.'

Channel 7 claim that $25million (£12.4m) could be lost on broadcasting revenue and day three and four tickets.

'It'll be a financial disaster for them [Cricket Australia],' Ponting added.

Some have called on Cricket Australia to schedule a legend's one-day match at the MCG on Sunday.

Ben Cameron reports on X that 'a prominent Victorian' has touted the idea of a legends match at the MCG tomorrow with a $1m (£500,000) prize up for grabs to the victors.

Whether the match goes ahead remains to be seen.

08:05

BEN STOKES: 'It was a tough time for us as a team'

Ben Stokes has been reflecting on what's been a whirlwind week for the tourists.

England have been thrust into the spotlight on several occasions during this Ashes tour, notably for their getaway to Noosa.

Reports emerged posing questions around the tourists drinking culture during the trip, with Ben Duckett also thrust into the spotlight for a video that has now gone viral.

After sealing England's first win Down Under since 2011, Stokes cut a relieved figure, stating that it had been a tough few days for the tourists.

It's a special feeling. Me and Joe have been on a few tours and it's not gone particularly well. But an amazing feeling. I think in particular, the couple of days in the build-up to this Test match, it was obviously a tough time for us as a team and certain individuals. But the way in which we were able to keep the focus on the most important thing, which was the cricket out there, was pretty exceptional I think.

So to come out here and put in a performance in the way that we did, a lot of credit has to go into the way that myself and the senior boys handled that situation and made sure we handled the situation in the way we did.

Ben Stokes calls for 'empathy' for Ben Duckett over 'drunk' video
LAWRENCE BOOTH IN MELBOURNE: Ben Stokes has pleaded for 'empathy' after Ben Duckett was named in England's team for the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.
08:05

Stokes takes a veiled dig at MCG pitch

Ben Stokes has taken a veiled swipe at the MCG pitch after multiple former cricket greats blasted the green top surface a 'shocker'.

The England skipper was asked by Aussie great Justin Langer whether it was 'more mentally or physically tiring playing Test cricket under the pressure you've been under?'

With 20 wickets tumbling on day one of this chaotic Test match, Stokes would go on to face 47 deliveries, while bowling only 15 overs.

He responded with a thinly veiled dig.

'With wickets like that, probably mentally because physically...' Stokes began to laugh.

'When you're in the moment, it's so much easier to focus on the cricket. Then you go away and go back to your room when you're on your own and you're in your own company... so many things are going through your head.

'Then when you walk out over the line - that's where your happy place is.'

Joe Root added: 'I think its games like that when you have to make sure you can think clearly under pressure because things happen so quickly. It's just making sure the game doesn't get away from you.

'Slow things down at times. Speed them up too. Use the rhythm of the game to your advantage.

'When you're out there, you've got a way of control. When you're sat there waiting, as much trust as you have in your team-mates, you can't affect the game.

'You're in it to try and contribute as much as you can and I think at different times, different guys stood up in this game.'

England implode on chaotic first day as 20 wickets fall
LAWRENCE BOOTH: Twenty wickets fell on a helter-skelter first day's play in the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG, as England staggered their way to 110 in response to Australia's 152.
07:22

JOE ROOT: 'I wanted to see us over the line. But I wouldn't change not out for a victory'

Speaking to TNT Sports, Joe Root explained that he was disappointed that this victory did not have an impact on the series, but he was delighted that England were able to bounce back after what's been a tough week.

Feels a lot better. It's been what, 18 goes at it? Disappointed that it's not to affect the series. But I think it's very important for everything that's been thrown at the group in the last little while to respond. And to find a way on that wicket, I think shows good cricket smarts in many ways.

But today we showed great bravery to play in that manner and with that conviction. So I'm very proud of the rest of the boys and hopefully we can build on it and use the momentum.

Root brought up a score of 15 runs off 38 deliveries before he was dismissed for lbw by Jhye Richardson. He admitted that he was gutted not to have helped England get over the line, but selflessly added the win means more.

I think when you're out there, you know what the job is and you know what is required. For me, I was bitterly disappointed; I wanted to see us over the line and be there at the end with Brooky. But I wouldn't change not out for a victory.

07:13

GRAEME SWANN: 'This England team does your head in'

Despite the win, Graeme Swann was left frustrated by the tourists' on day two of this Boxing Day Test, with the former England spinner claiming that Ben Stokes' side 'make you want to throw your hands in the air' at times.

However, speaking to TNT Sports, he believes this major victory in Melbourne may be a huge boost that England need.

I've been so nervous watching that. This England team does your head in. They are so good on their day, and so bad when they are not. If this gives one or two players a kick for next time - to make sure we are more ruthless and we are fighting for the Ashes in Melbourne - then perhaps it's not a wasted tour after all.

07:09

BEN STOKES: 'Jacob Bethell showed his class'

The captain added that he was particularly proud of Jacob Bethell, who arrived at the crease to amass England's highest score of the day (40) with a composed and patient knock on a very fast wicket.

Beth played a crucial knock in tricky conditions and showed the class we see in him to go like that.

The partnerships we built in the chase were exceptional.

07:07

BEN STOKES: 'There's been quite a lot thrown our way'

Pressed on how tough this tour has been personally for him, Stokes said he was proud of how he has handled the captaincy during this series.

Definitely. After the couple of days leading up to this Test, there was quite a lot thrown our way. We made sure we stayed focused on the task at hand, a lot of credit has to go to the players and the staff. A very proud captain here of the boys in the dressing room.

The way the cricket was played was short and sharp. It was very tricky. We looked to take a positive approach on everything, it was heavily favoured towards the bowlers.

The way we went out today was exactly the right way to chase it down, you can't allow good bowlers to land it in dangerous areas. I thought we were courageous in the way we operated.

Josh Tongue, what an occasion for him. Five wickets on Boxing Day in front of a huge crowd. Absolutely awesome. Jacob Bethell, a crucial knock in tricky conditions. The partnerships they were able to build were exceptional.

07:04

BEN STOKES: 'It has been a tough tour up until now'

England skipper Ben Stokes has hailed the Barmy Army (who are still singing by the way!) as he reflected on what's been a tough tour.

It has been a tough tour up until now and we are obviously over the moon that we have been able to get the right result here.

It has not only been a tough tour for us as a team but also everything before us so to be stood here as part of a team that has managed to win a game in Australia is a pretty good feeling.

I hope it means a lot to the fans. The support we constantly get is very special. There is constant noise and the lads hear it, know it and feel it.

This means a hell of a lot to us as players and I'm sure there will be some sore heads for the fans tomorrow.

07:02

STEVE SMITH: 'It favoured the bowlers'

Reflecting on the match, Steve Smith told TNT Sports:

Tricky one. Obviously, a very quick game! Had we got 50 or 60 more across both innings, then we might have been there at the end. But credit to England, they came out today, bowled really well this morning and didn't let us get away.

Then the way they started with the bat, they were very aggressive, got a few away and probably softened our ball a bit and it probably didn't offer as much from that point.

The spicy pitch here at the MCG has been a major talking point around this fourth Ashes Test, and Smith offered his take on the wicket, claiming it favoured the bowlers too much...

It did a fair amount for the whole game. Just probably when the ball just softened after a few lusty blows from their top order, it went a little bit less, but without that, it was still going to offer plenty.

I think [it favoured the bowlers] a little bit too much. It was tricky, no one could really get in. When you see 36 wickets across two days, that's probably too much.

It did more than they probably wanted to. If we drop it down to 8mm [of grass], that might be about right.

06:57

Player of the match: Josh Tongue

Josh Tongue wrote his name in the history books on Boxing Day, becoming the first Englishman to take a five-wicket haul during an Ashes Test at the MCG since Dean Headley in 1998.

He would go on to take another two wickets on Saturday, with the England bowler being awarded the player of the match award for his brilliance with the ball in hand.

Tongue told TNT Sports:

It's what dreams are made of. I mean, waking up on Boxing Day there were a few nerves. But to get a five-for, it was a pretty special feeling.

The Barmy Army have been unbelievable these past four games.

A 15-month injury lay off between 2021 and 2022 due to a shoulder injury had left Tongue wondering if he would ever play cricket again.

But reflecting on his journey to today, the player-of-the-match said:

I was in a tough situation with my body and stuff and potentially retiring but I was glad I put in the hard work to get back playing cricket and now playing for England... It's what I've always wanted to do.

It is an amazing feeling that we have won this game for the fans. I can't be happy enough to win a Boxing Day Test.

06:50

JOE ROOT: 'We are so lucky to have them'

Joe Root also thanked the Barmy Army while speaking with TNT Sports for their support during the tour:

Very special occasion. We are so lucky with the support we get. Look at the amount of people that are here.

They do it everywhere. We are so lucky to have them. Really pleased they can enjoy this alongside us too.

Jacob Bethell impressed during his first match of the series. He brought up a score of 40 from 46 deliveries, which also included five fours, and Root was quick to also lump praise on the middle order batter...

Outstanding. The conviction he played with, the smarts that he had. Using the crease and making it difficult for the bowlers to hold length. Takes bravery and takes courage and it takes a lot of skills to execute as well as he did.