Archive · 27 Dec 2025
England Wins Boxing Day Test
England won the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The match was very short because the pitch was very difficult for batters, and many wickets fell quickly.
England's win ended a 14-year wait for a Test victory in Australia.
Many people criticized the pitch for being too easy for bowlers, but others enjoyed the exciting match.
England's win did not change the series much, as Australia still leads 3-1.
The next Test will be in Sydney.
The pitch conditions were a big topic of discussion, with some saying it was unfair and others saying it was just challenging.
The World Test Championship standings also did not change much because of this win.
England won the Boxing Day Test against Australia by 4 wickets, ending a 14-year winless streak in Australia.
The match was criticized for being too bowler-friendly, with 36 wickets falling in just two days.
Over 186,000 fans attended the match over two days, with England's 'Barmy Army' fans celebrating loudly.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg admitted the pitch was not ideal for Test cricket, saying short Tests are bad for business.
The win did not significantly impact the World Test Championship standings, with Australia remaining top and England seventh.
- Who
- England and Australia cricket teams
- What
- England won the Boxing Day Test against Australia
- When
- December 26-27, 2025
- Where
- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
- Why
- To continue the Ashes series and for the World Test Championship points
Critics of the Pitch
Supporters of the Pitch
Pitch Conditions
Critics of the Pitch
The pitch was unfairly bowler-friendly, making batting difficult and leading to a short Test.
Supporters of the Pitch
The pitch was challenging but provided an exciting and competitive match.
Criticism of Indian Pitches
Critics of the Pitch
Critics argue that Indian pitches are often unfairly criticized when spinners dominate, and similar scrutiny should be applied to Australian pitches.
Supporters of the Pitch
Supporters believe that each pitch should be evaluated based on its own merits and context.
- Venue
- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
- Match Result
- England won by 4 wickets
- Series Status
- Australia leads 3-1
- Attendance
- Over 186,000 fans over two days
- Pitch Criticism
- Criticized for being too bowler-friendly
- Next Test
- Sydney, starting January 4
- World Test Championship
- Australia remains top, England seventh
Sources
Cricket Australia CEO says hosting of day-night Boxing Day Test at MCG is 'not off the cards'
Melbourne Cricket Ground To Host Day-Night Boxing Day Test?
‘Not off the cards’: Cricket Australia on MCG hosting day-night Boxing Day Test
Michael Vaughan Calls MCG Pitch 'A Complete Joke' As Boxing Day Test Nears 2-Day Finish
'Pitch Is A Joke..': Michael Vaughan, Dinesh Karthik Hit Out At Curator As Ashes MCG Test Heads At 2-Day Finish
'Selling The Game Short': Former Ashes Winner Tears Into The MCG Pitch, Labels Spicy And Green-Tinged Melbourne Wicket As Joke
Ashes: ‘Unfair contest’, ‘Bad for business’: Former players and experts criticise the MCG pitch
Ashes 2025: Boxing Day Test Fails To Impact WTC 2027, Here's How Updated Points Table Looks Like After England Defeat Australia By 4 Wickets
That Indian side wasn’t great: Cook on England’s 2-2 home draw
Barmy Army Roars As England Seal Historic MCG Test Triumph, Video Goes Viral | Watch
WTC Points Table: Here’s who benefited from England handing Australia their first defeat of this cycle
AUS Vs ENG 4th Ashes Test: Ben Stokes, Joe Root Win 1st Game On Australian Soil, England Seal Victory After 5,468 Days
WTC Points Table: India’s position unchanged as Australia stumble against England at MCG
