Steve Smith etched his name deeper into Ashes history as he overtook Allan Border to become Australia’s second highest run-scorer against England in Test cricket. The milestone came in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, although Smith endured a difficult match with the bat overall. The veteran slugger only managed nine runs in the first inning, falling to Josh Tongue, but showed resilience in the second inning. As wickets fell around him on a hostile surface, Smith remained unbeaten on 24 off 39 balls, hitting a boundary and standing almost alone as the Australian batting folded cheaply again.
Smith’s consistency in Ashes contests now places him above Border in the all-time rankings. In 40 Tests against England, he accumulated 3,553 runs at an average of 55.51, with 12 hundreds and 14 half-centuries in 72 innings. Border finished his career with 3,548 runs against England from 47 Tests at an average of 56.31, including eight centuries and 21 fifties. Only Sir Don Bradman remains ahead of Smith, having scored 5,028 runs in 37 Tests at an average of 89.78. The match itself turned into a fast-paced, bowler-dominated contest. England won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision which paid immediate dividends. Josh Tongue produced a memorable spell, claiming 5 for 45 to record England’s first ever five-wicket win in a Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Australia were dismissed for 152 in 45.2 overs, with Michael Neser leading the way with 35 and Usman Khawaja adding 29. A brief half-century partnership between Neser and Cameron Green offered some resistance before a runout triggered another collapse. England’s response was equally shaky. They were bowled out for 110 in just 29.5 overs, with Harry Brook scoring 41 and Gus Atkinson contributing 28. Bazball’s aggressive approach again failed on a pitch offering sharp movements and uneven bounce. Neser led the Australian bowling with 4 for 45, while home favorite Scott Boland took 3 for 30, giving Australia a slim first innings lead of 42. The second round followed a similar pattern. Australia struggled to cope with the conditions and were bowled out for 132 in 34.3 overs. Only Travis Head, with 46, and Smith, with his unbeaten 24, managed to get past 20. Brydon Carse took 4 for 34 and Ben Stokes backed him up with 3 for 24 as England kept the target within reach. Australia put England on 175 to win. England made a confident start to the run chase, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett putting together an opening half-century stand. Crawley then added 47 more with Jacob Bethell, putting England firmly in control. Australia staged a brief comeback, reducing England 112 for 2 to 165 for 6, but Harry Brook and Jamie Smith kept their cool to guide England to a memorable victory. While the match belonged to the bowlers and the unsteady pitch, Smith’s surge past Allan Border ensured that the Test also featured a significant moment of individual achievement in Ashes history.
