Test Match Special England’s men win first Ashes Test down under in 15 years
13 snips
Dec 27, 2025 
Phil Tufnell, the witty former England spin bowler, and Glenn McGrath, the legendary Australian fast bowler, join Test captain Ben Stokes to dissect England's thrilling Ashes win. They analyze England's bold decision to bowl first and the impressive tactics that led to victory. Stokes reflects on his leadership under pressure and praises the team's character, including Jacob Bethell's remarkable debut. The trio also debates the controversial MCG pitch and looks ahead to Sydney, considering the implications for team selection and strategy.
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Positive Chase Broke Long Winless Run
- England ended an 18-match winless run in Australia with a positive, attack-first chase of 175.
- Early aggression by Crawley and Duckett set the momentum and made the target manageable.
Be Proactive When Chasing
- When chasing on a tricky pitch, be proactive and look to score rather than just survive.
- Joe Root and panellists emphasised using initiative to put pressure back on bowlers.
Length And Line Won The Bowling Battle
- England bowlers won the match by pitching up and letting the surface do the work.
- Josh Tongue and others controlled length and line to create consistent chances.