In a significant personal milestone amidst a team collapse, Australian batting maestro Steve Smith climbed to second place on the all-time list of Australia's highest run-scorers against England in Test cricket. The historic moment occurred during the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a match ultimately defined by bowlers and a treacherous pitch.
A Landmark Achievement Amidst Batting Struggles
Smith's ascent past the legendary Allan Border came despite a challenging match for the veteran batter. He managed only nine runs in the first innings, dismissed by England's Josh Tongue. However, he showed trademark resilience in the second innings. As Australia's batting order crumbled on a difficult surface, Smith remained unbeaten on 24 from 39 balls, hitting one boundary, standing as a lone figure of resistance.
This effort took his career tally against England to 3,553 runs in 40 Tests, at a formidable average of 55.51. His record includes 12 centuries and 14 half-centuries. He surpassed Border's total of 3,548 runs, which the former captain accumulated over 47 Tests at an average of 56.31, with eight hundreds and 21 fifties. The only Australian now ahead of Smith is the immortal Sir Don Bradman, who scored a staggering 5,028 runs in just 37 Tests.
A Bowlers' Paradise Unfolds at the MCG
The Test match itself was a fast-paced, low-scoring thriller dominated by the ball. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision vindicated immediately. Debutant Josh Tongue made history by claiming 5 for 45, recording England's first-ever five-wicket haul in a Boxing Day Test at the iconic MCG.
Australia were bundled out for a mere 152 in 45.2 overs. Michael Neser (35) and Usman Khawaja (29) were the only batters to offer some fight. England's reply was equally fragile, as they were skittled for 110 in under 30 overs. Harry Brook top-scored with 41. Neser shone with the ball too, taking 4 for 45, while local hero Scott Boland grabbed 3 for 30, handing Australia a slender first-innings lead of 42 runs.
England Hold Nerve in Tense Chase
The second innings followed a similar script. Australia, struggling to handle the conditions, were dismissed for 132. Only Travis Head (46) and the unbeaten Smith (24*) made notable contributions. England's Brydon Carse took 4 for 34, with Stokes chipping in with 3 for 24.
Set a target of 175, England began confidently with an opening stand of over fifty between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. A mid-innings stumble saw them slide from 112 for 2 to 165 for 6, but Harry Brook and Jamie Smith steadied the ship to guide England to a memorable three-wicket victory.
While the match will be remembered for its dramatic ebbs and flows and the bowlers' dominance, it also secured a special place in Ashes folklore for Steve Smith, whose consistent excellence against the old enemy has now etched his name above one of Australia's greatest cricketing icons.
