England win staggering two-day Test in Melbourne

Fourth Ashes Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground (day two of five)

Australia 152: Neser 35; Tongue 5-45 & 132: Head 46; Carse 4-34

England 110: Brook 41; Neser 4-45 & 178-6: Bethell 40, Crawley 37

England won by four wickets; Australia lead series 3-1

Scorecard

England ended an 18-match winless streak in Australia and avoided an Ashes clean sweep in a staggering and absurd two-day Test in Melbourne.

In one of the most bizarre matches ever played, England chased 175 to win on the second evening of the fourth Test, leaving the series at 3-1 before the finale in Sydney.

In devilishly difficult batting conditions, England's Bazballers revelled in the chaos as they finally found a situation in Australia to suit their freewheeling method.

They reached their target inside 33 overs, England's four-wicket victory delighting the thousands of travelling fans who finally have something to celebrate on a hitherto miserable tour.

The chance of a first Test victory in Australia since 2011 was created when England dismissed the home side for 132 in their second innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Brydon Carse claimed 4-34 and captain Ben Stokes 3-24 to cover for the loss of Gus Atkinson, who is a doubt for the fifth Test after sustaining a hamstring injury.

To add to the silliness, Carse then arrived as a pinch-hitter at number three after Crawley and Ben Duckett struck 51 in 6.5 overs - England's highest opening partnership of the series.

Crawley made 37, Duckett 34 and Jacob Bethell justified his recall with a classy 40.

The winning runs came off the thigh pad of Harry Brook, drawing a deafening roar from the corner of England supporters at the end of a breathtaking day.

Where to start making sense of this chaotic, frantic and memorable Boxing Day match? This was the 2,615th Test on record and the 27th to finish inside two days.

Until this series began in Perth in November, there had been no two-dayers in Ashes cricket since 1921. Now there have been two in five weeks - the first series between any teams to contain two two-day Tests since 1896.

Was the pitch, covered in a lush 10mm of grass, suitable for Test cricket? It certainly gave an advantage to ball over bat that bordered on unfair. Still, that takes nothing away from the quality of the bowling, or excuses some of the batting, with Australia especially guilty.

Test cricket is a rich tapestry - no other sport has such a variance in conditions holding such influence over the outcome. On this occasion, the conditions may have produced cricket of questionable quality, but the theatre was utterly compelling.

Yes, there is the disappointment of missing a third-day sellout at the colossal MCG, yet the near 200,000 inside for the two days of action cannot say they were not royally entertained.

At the end of it all, England have their first Test win in Australia in almost 15 years. It comes after the tourists surrendered the series inside three Tests and follows reports of excessive drinking on their holiday in Noosa.

It may alleviate some of the pressure building on captain Stokes, coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key. At the very least, it gives England greats Stokes and Joe Root their first win in Australia after 12 years of trying.

On this surface, attack was the best form of defence - ideal for an England team who "run towards the danger". Rightly criticised for failing to adapt to conditions earlier in the series, this was the perfect scenario for some Bazballing.

Duckett has endured a difficult tour with the bat, made worse when a video of the opener apparently drunk in Noosa was shared online. Here the travelling fans chanted his name as he clipped and slashed England to a rapid start, even scooping Michael Neser over the wicketkeeper for six.

Crucially, Duckett was dropped by a diving Mitchell Starc in his follow-through on eight - England were 13-0 at the time. Reprieved, Duckett gave England momentum before he was yorked by Starc.

Carse's promotion from number 10 to number three was astonishing, as England looked for further impetus from a pinch-hitter. By this point, Crawley was into his stride, planting Neser for a straight six.

Carse swiped only six before he top-edged to third man, and Bethell's arrival signalled the start of orthodox Test cricket. His partnership with Crawley added 47, the third-wicket pair astutely taking the singles allowed by a deep-set Australian field.

Crawley played across Scott Boland to be lbw when England still needed 63. Bethell remained unflappable on his Ashes debut, adding another important 25 with Root before he slapped Boland to cover.

It would have been fitting for either of Root or Stokes to be at the crease when victory was completed, though both were dismissed when victory was in touching distance.

There was a hint of tension when Jamie Smith faced his first ball with 10 needed to win, only for his clip off Starc for three to bring the Barmy Army to their feet.

Victory was sealed in the next over, England's players streaming on to the field to acknowledge the supporters who filled this cathedral of Australian sport with joyful song.

Beginning the day 46 runs behind, England needed to continue the fast-forward cricket of a 20-wicket first day to remain in the Test.

Their bowlers once again used the helpful conditions, managing to absorb the loss of Atkinson, who limped off after having nightwatchman Boland caught behind.

Only when Travis Head was making 46, the highest individual score of the match, did Australia look like getting away. Will Jacks' drop at point when Head was on 26 could have been costly in the context of a low-scoring game.

Carse found a full length for his best spell of the series, bowling Head with a beauty. Josh Tongue ended with seven wickets in the match and Stokes bowled within himself but found the perfect rhythm for the pitch.

Though wicketkeeper Smith and the slip fielders were often too deep, England caught well. At various points, Australia lost three wickets for six runs, three for two, and had a final slide of four for 13 to leave Steve Smith out of partners on 24 not out.

Overall, Australia were bowled out twice in the match in 79.5 overs, the fastest they have lost 20 wickets in a Test since Don Bradman's debut in 1928.