MCG turns into a sea of white-and-red! England win after 14 years on Australian soil
The Melbourne Cricket Ground turned into a sea of white and red on Sunday as England fans, consisting of the ever-vocal Barmy Army, finally had a moment they had waited more than a decade for. Songs echoed across the stands, flags fluttered in every corner, and chants drowned out the home crowd as England sealed a long-overdue Test victory on Australian soil, after 14 years. The Barmy Army finally had reason to celebrate. England completed a four-wicket win in the fourth Test at Melbourne, chasing down a tricky target of 175 and triggering scenes of jubilation among travelling supporters at the MCG. For a fan base known for unwavering loyalty, this was catharsis. Across two days, more than 186,000 fans packed into the iconic venue, and while the crowd was largely Australian, England’s travelling support made itself heard at every crucial moment. The green-top wicket once again raised questions as Australia faced the music, failing to survive against the English bowlers on a bowlers’-friendly pitch. At the same time, England’s batters showed clarity and intent. Although the pitch already shown its volatility, England reached the total in just 32.2 overs, registering their first successful fourth-innings chase in Australia since 1962 and their first Test win in the country since 2011. The match ended inside two days, the second such finish of the series, with 36 wickets falling across the contest. With only 13 days of cricket played so far in the Ashes, pitch conditions have become a major talking point. England have at least avoided a whitewash. As the focus shifts to Sydney, Australia will aim to close out the series 4-1, while England, buoyed by belief and the voice of the Barmy Army, will look to finish the tour on a high.
Former England batsman Robin Smith dies unexpectedly, his family reveals
England’s former batsman Robin Smith has died at the age of 62. The news was announced by his English county, Hampshire, on Tuesday. Smith played 62 Tests between 1988 and 1996, died unexpectedly on Monday in Australia, where he lived, his family said. “It is with the deepest and most profound sense of sadness and loss that we must announce the passing of Robin Arnold Smith, beloved father of Harrison and Margaux and cherished brother of Christopher,” Smith’s family said in a statement released by Hampshire Cricket. Robin died unexpectedly at his South Perth apartment on Monday, 1st December. The cause of his death is at present unknown.” Smith had only recently met with the England Lions squad in Perth ahead of the first Ashes Test at the invitation of team coach Andrew Flintoff. Robin rose to fame as one of England’s most charismatic and popular players,” Smith’s family said. It added: “Since his retirement from the game in 2004, his battles with alcohol and mental health have been well documented, but these should not form the basis of speculation about the cause of death, which will be determined at postmortem investigation.” Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove said: “Robin Smith is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all time Hampshire cricket heroes. “He was a batsman of awesome power and control, and amongst the most courageous players this club has ever seen — especially against bowling of real pace.”
