"A good feeling, a tough tour up to now, said England skipper Ben Stokes. After the build-up to the Test, a lot thrown our way, to put in a performance on the back of all that, and beat a very good Australian team, a lot of credit has to go to players, staff and management for keeping the focus on cricket. Very proud. We showed bravery and were courageous."
"England had not won a Test in Australia since January 2011 at Sydney, losing 16 and drawing two since, and openers Crawley and Ben Duckett had a clear objective to snap the streak play ultra-aggressive Bazball style. Duckett hit a boundary off Mitchell Starc in his first over, while Crawley slammed Michael Neser for a six and a four in successive balls. They brought up a whirlwind fifty opening partnership, but next ball Duckett was bowled by a Starc yorker for 34."
England secured a four-wicket win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, ending a 15-year run without a Test victory in Australia. Australia were dismissed for 132 soon after lunch before a crowd of 92,045, following 20 wickets that fell on day one. England chased 175, with Harry Brook unbeaten on 18 and Jamie Smith on three finishing the job after contributions from Jacob Bethell (40) and Zak Crawley (37). Ben Stokes praised the players, staff and management for maintaining focus, calling the win a proud, brave response after a difficult, scrutinised tour. England head to Sydney confident for the final Test.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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