DiscoverThe Top Order Cricket PodcastThe Ashes 4th Test Review: MCG Mayhem as England win the Boxing Day Test
The Ashes 4th Test Review: MCG Mayhem as England win the Boxing Day Test

The Ashes 4th Test Review: MCG Mayhem as England win the Boxing Day Test

Update: 2025-12-29
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In this episode of the show, Binksy, Baldy and Stu look back at the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England, which saw the visitors secure their first victory on Australian soil in almost 15 years.




We start the show by talking about our experiences of yet another two-day Test. For Binksy, as an English fan, was this a hollow victory since the series has already been lost? Or a joyous, historic moment since wins have been so hard to come by in Australia? We also discuss whether the narrative needs to change as Test cricket evolves - do two-day Tests have to be a disappointment? If we're given maximum entertainment, is that not enough to satisfy our hunger for the game?




As the episode continues, the conversation inevitable turns to the pitch, plus the implications for Cricket Australia of such a short game. Are batters simply not good enough any more? Or did the groundstaff get this one horribly wrong?




From there, we move to highlighting individual players, starting with Josh Tongue. What made him so successful on this surface? And did England miscalculate what was needed from a bowling point of view in this series? We also discuss whether Jacob Bethell's bright and breezy second-innings knock could spell the end for Ollie Pope. We also touch on Australia's batting, which, despite the 3-1 scoreline, still appears to have plenty of questions to answer.




To round out the show, we look ahead to the options facing both sides for the final Test in Sydney, and what's riding on the match. Gus Atkinson's hamstring means at least one change for England, and will Todd Murphy get another opportunity for Australia?




We'll be back in your feed again soon with more from the cricketing world. Until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.




You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations with Mike Hesson, Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com.


Thanks for listening.




0:00 Intro: Ashes 4th Test Review


1:45 Initial reaction to England's win inside two days


9:10 Do we need to rethink the way we view & discuss Test cricket?


14:35 The pitch and the impact it had on this game


26:40 Key players - Josh Tongue


38:20 Jacob Bethell


44:50 Australia's batting


49:50 What's riding on the Sydney Test for both sides?

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The Ashes 4th Test Review: MCG Mayhem as England win the Boxing Day Test

The Ashes 4th Test Review: MCG Mayhem as England win the Boxing Day Test

The Top Order Podcast