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Joe Root, Ben Stokes end unwanted Ashes streak with long-awaited success in Australia

Anurag Dasgupta

Root, Stokes end unwanted Australian jinx [Source: AFP Photo] Root, Stokes end unwanted Australian jinx [Source: AFP Photo]

The streak has been ended as England, for the first time in nearly 15 years, has won a Test match on Australian soil. It was in January 2011 that the England side last defeated the Australians in their backyard, and since then, the team has failed to deliver the goods in the next three tours Down Under.

The last time England won a Test in Australia, Joe Root and Ben Stokes had not made their Test debuts, and since 2013, the duo has never tasted success on Australian soil as everytime England tour, Down Under, they have faced defeats.

Both Joe Root and Stokes have been travelling to Australia since 2013, and both players broke their unwanted jinx as Root won a Test match in Australia after 18 attempts, while Stokes ended his drought of 13 Tests without a win on the Australian soil. Out of the 18 Tests played by Root, he had suffered 15 losses, showcasing England's inability to beat their arch-rivals in their backyard.

Root and Stokes' detailed record in Australia

Root was part of the infamous 2013 Australian tour when Mitch Johnson ran riot, scalping 37 wickets in the series as the visitors lost 0-5 and were completely outplayed by the hosts. He then toured Australia as captain the 2017-18 summer and under his leadership, the Three Lions avoided series whitewash, but lost 4-0.

A similar fate happened for Root and England in the 2021-22 series as they once again were outplayed and the side lost 0-4 and again avoided a whitewash. In the ongoing series, England had lost three in a row before Root ended his streak with a win at the MCG.

Like Root, Stokes was also a part of the 2013 series whitewash, but unlike Root, he was not a part of the 0-4 defeat during the 2017 series. However, he did return for the 2021 tour and lost four matches Down Under.

How England defeated Australia to end their jinx

The Boxing Day Test match at MCG ended inside two days as the England bowlers ran riot and dismantled Australia to attain a famous win. In Australia’s first innings, Josh Tongue picked up a fifer as the hosts were bundled out for a paltry 152.

In reply, England were all-out for just 110, but once again in the second innings, the England bowlers were up to the mark as Brydon Carse scalped a 4-wicket haul to knock over the Aussies for just 132. England were set a target of 175, and after a brief hiccup, they managed to achieve the target.