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New Delhi: England completed a nervy 175-run chase to win the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne by four wickets inside two frenzied says and notch up their first Ashes victory in Australia in 15 years.
After 20 wickets fell on the opening day, when England conceded a 42-run first innings lead, they pulled off a remarkable turnaround to dismiss Australia for 132 in their second innings and did just enough to reach the finish line at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The tourists had lost the series with defeats in the first three Tests in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide but were determined to end their barren streak since winning the Ashes 3-1 in Australia in 2010-11.
Australia resumed the day at 4 for no loss, with an overall lead of 46, but were bundled out for a low core in their second innings as Brydon Carse took 4-34 and England skipper Ben Stokes claimed 3- 24.
Their probing bowling left Australia vulnerable at 98 for six at lunch and lost their last four wickets for 34 runs to hand the initiative to England.
The tone of England's chase was set by Zak Crawley (37) and Ben Duckett (34) rapid 51-run partnership, scoring at more than seven runs-per-over.
England must have felt pressure when they were reduced to 165 for six but Harry Brook (18 not out) and Jamie Smith (three not out) took them past the finishing line.
The winning run was brought up with four leg byes off Mitchell Starc for their first victory Down Under since Andrew Strauss's team won by an innings and 83 runs in Sydney in the fifth Test of the 2010/11 Ashes.
"To lose the series is obviously very disappointing, but I think it was really important that we showed a lot of character for the rest of the series, and there's been a lot thrown at this team and the way that we responded throughout these two days has been excellent," England batter Joe Root said.
