England needs 175 runs to win the 4th Ashes test as wickets continue to fall at the MCG

By Canadian Press on December 26, 2025.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — England has fought back to bowl Australia out for 132 in its second innings after lunch on Day 2 of the fourth Ashes test on Saturday.

On a Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch offering substantial sideways movement for pace bowlers, England will be chasing a target of 175 to win after 30 wickets have fallen in 4 1-2 sessions.

Resuming on Saturday on 4-0, an overall lead of 42, Australia staggered to lunch at 98-6.

The dismissal of opener Travis Head (46) was quickly followed by the departures of Usman Khawaja (0) and Alex Carey (4) in the next two overs as Australia slumped from 82-3 to 88-6 in the morning session.

Ben Stokes (3-24) claimed the important wicket of Cameron Green (19) after lunch, caught at second slip, and Brydon Carse sliced through the tail to finish with 4-34.

Australia held an overall lead of 46 Friday after scoring 152, running through England for 110, then reaching 4-0 in a dramatic first day

England lost each of the first three tests to allow Australia to retain the Ashes in just 11 days of on-field action.

Josh Tongue claimed a career-best 5-45 to lead England’s bowling attack Friday before Michael Neser grabbed 4-45 for Australia.

It was the first time since December 1951 that 20 wickets had fallen on a day of test cricket in Australia.

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said Saturday “short tests are bad for business,” and said CA would consider a hands-on role in pitch preparation in the future.

“It’s hard not to get more involved when you see the impact on the sport, particularly commercially,” Greenberg told SEN Radio. “I’m really hoping we get to day three because there will be a lot of money at stake.”

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Greg Buckle, The Associated Press