Ashes 2025-26 Makes Unwanted History As Two Tests End Inside Two Days

The Ashes rivalry has delivered many unforgettable moments over the years, but this one has left the cricket world stunned and concerned. For the first time in 129 years, two Test matches in the same Ashes series have ended inside just two days.

England’s four-wicket win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground wrapped up at lightning speed on Saturday, December 27, creating unwanted history and sparking debate about the future of Test cricket.

England Finally Taste Ashes Victory Down Under

The Ashes urn may already be beyond England’s reach, but this win still carries huge significance. After years of disappointment and near misses, England have finally managed to win a Test match in Australia again.

Ben Stokes and his team defeated Australia by four wickets in the fourth Test of the Ashes 2025-26 at the MCG. This marked England’s first Test victory on Australian soil since January 2011, ending a painful run of 15 years and 18 failed attempts.

For senior players like Joe Root and Stokes, the win meant even more. Both have toured Australia multiple times and endured tough defeats along the way. In this Test, England showed grit and belief, fighting back strongly even though the five-match series was already slipping away from them.

Ashes Series Enters the Record Books for the Wrong Reason

While England celebrated a long-awaited victory, the match also became part of cricket’s record books for an uncomfortable reason. The Boxing Day Test ended inside just two days, a rare and alarming outcome.

It was the first time in 129 years that two Test matches in an Ashes series between England and Australia finished within two days. Overall, it was only the fourth Test match in Australia’s history to conclude in such a short span.

A Fast and Furious Test at the MCG

From the very first session, the Boxing Day Test moved at an extraordinary pace. Batters from both sides struggled to settle, and wickets fell in clusters at the MCG.

On Day 1, Australia were bowled out for 152 in 45.2 overs. England fared even worse, collapsing for just 110 runs in 29.5 overs. The rapid scoring and constant wickets meant Australia had to come out for a brief second-innings stint before stumps on the opening day.

The chaos continued on Day 2. Australia were dismissed again for only 132 runs in 34.3 overs. Chasing a modest target of 175, England completed the chase comfortably, finishing the match with four wickets in hand and sealing the Test in just six sessions.

Cricket Australia Raises Serious Concerns

The speed at which the match ended did not sit well with Cricket Australia. CEO Todd Greenberg admitted that the opening day of the Test left him deeply uneasy.

With 20 wickets falling on Day 1 alone, Greenberg said the situation worried him not just as a cricket fan but from a business point of view as well. He even revealed that he struggled to sleep, thinking about the financial impact of such short matches.

Todd Greenberg was quoted as saying by SEN Radio: “As mesmerising and fascinating and enjoyable as it was to watch as a fan, we want Test cricket clearly to go on for longer. A simple phrase I’d use is “Short tests are bad for business.” I can’t be much more blunt than that.”

The historic England win may be remembered for ending a long drought, but the rapid collapse of this Test has also reignited serious questions about pitch conditions, balance between bat and ball, and the long-term health of Test cricket itself.