England's Ashes record at the MCG
Wins: 20
Losses: 28
Draws: 8
Highest total: 589 in 1912
Lowest total: 61 in 1902 and 1904
Highest score: Wally Hammond 200 in 1928
Most runs: Jack Hobbs - 1,178
Best bowling: Wilfred Rhodes - 8/68 in 1904
Most wickets: Sydney Barnes - 35
The Ashes might be gone but England’s record at the world famous Melbourne Cricket Ground offers hope of pulling a Test back.
The tourists have won four of the last nine encounters between the sides at the MCG, the last being an emphatic victory in 2010 when the home side were dismissed for just 98 on Boxing Day.
98 all out
Boxing Day at the MCG in 2010 remains one of the highlights of recent Ashes series. Well, if you are an England supporter.
Almost 85,000 crammed into the vast stadium for the start of play but only the England fans remained at the close as the tourists finished on 157 without loss having dismissed Australia for just 98.
James Anderson and Chris Tremlett took four wickets each as Andrew Strauss’ men skittled the hosts for their second lowest total at the ground.
Jonathan Trott went on to compile his second ton of the series as England made 513 before the bowlers, led by Tim Bresnan, sealed an innings-and-157-run victory.
It was looking good for England last time out in 2013 as 4/67 from Jimmy Anderson handed England a 51-run first innings lead when the Aussies were dismissed for 204.
But after slumping to 179 all out in our second dig, a century from Chris Rogers and 83 not out from Shane Watson saw Australia to their victory target of 230 with the loss of just one wicket.
Strong support
Traditionally, England enjoy huge support in Melbourne and the travelling fans will be further boosted by their record at the MCG.
In 56 Ashes Tests dating back to 1877, the tourists have won 20 compared to 28 Australia victories while eight matches have ended in a draw. There was also one abandoned Test in 1970-71.
In their last nine outings, England have triumphed four times, twice in thrilling style and twice by an innings.
Heartbreak for Tommo
The tourists’ three-run win in 1982, which mirrored Edgbaston in 2005, was one of the great Ashes Tests.
England were inserted and subsequently bowled out for 284 with Chris Tavare's 89 and 83 from Allan Lamb the mainstay of the total.
In reply Australia edged into a three-run lead thanks to half-centuries from Kim Hughes, David Hookes and Rodney Marsh. Bob Willis and Geoff Miller finished with three wickets apiece.
Graeme Fowler hit 65 when England batted again but they needed contributions from Ian Botham, Derek Pringle and Bob Taylor to reach 294. Chasing 292 to win, the hosts looked in charge as they reached 171 for three thanks to a century stand between Hughes and Hookes.
But the game turned once Hughes edged Miller behind as Australia collapsed, losing six wickets for just 47 runs with Norman Cowans the chief destroyer. That flurry of wickets left them 218 for nine, still 74 adrift with last pair Allan Border and Jeff Thomson charged with stealing an unlikely win.
They got close, very close, until a final piece of drama sealed it. Thomson, who had defied England for more than two hours, nicked Botham to second slip where Tavare fumbled before Miller, stationed at first, swooped to scoop the ball up and seal a memorable three-run win.
Headley to the rescue
England won in thrilling fashion in 1998 when Dean Headley bowled Alec Stewart's side to an improbable 12-run victory.
Australia, 2-0 up in the series, were coasting in pursuit of 175 and, when the Waugh brothers took the score to 130 for three, there was seemingly only one winner.
Step forward Headley, who took 5/9 in just six overs, before Darren Gough dismissed Stuart MacGill and Glenn McGrath in the space of three balls to spark joyous scenes as shadows crept across the outfield.
England v Australia at the MCG
1877: Australia won by 45 runs
1877: England won by four wickets
1879: Australia won by 10 wickets
1881: Draw
1882: Draw
1882: Australia won by nine wickets
1883: England won by an innings and 27 runs
1885: England won by 10 wickets
1885: England won by an innings and 98 runs
1892: Australia won by 54 runs
1894: England won by 94 runs
1895: England won by six wickets
1898: Australia won by an innings and 55 runs
1898: Australia won by eight wickets
1902: Australia won by 229 runs
1902: Australia won by 32 runs
1904: England won by 185 runs
1904: Australia won by 218 runs
1908: England won by one wicket
1908: Australia won by 308 runs
1911: England won by eight wickets
1912: England won by an innings and 225 runs
1920: Australia won by an innings and 91 runs
1921: Australia won by eight wickets
1925: Australia won by 81 runs
1925: England won by an innings and 29 runs
1928: England won by three wickets
1929: Australia won by five wickets
1932: Australia won by 111 runs
1937: Australia won by 365 runs
1937: Australia won by an innings and 200 runs
1947: Draw
1950: Australia won by 28 runs
1951: England won by eight wickets
1954: England won by 128 runs
1958: Australia won by eight wickets
1959: Australia won by nine wickets
1962: England won by seven wickets
1965: Draw
1966: Draw
1970: Draw
1971: Draw
1974: Draw
1975: England won by an innings and four runs
1977: Australia won by 45 runs
1978: Australia won by 103 runs
1980: Australia won by eight wickets
1982: England won by three runs
1986: England won by an innings and 14 runs
1990: Australia won by eight wickets
1994: Australia won by 295 runs
1998: England won by 12 runs
2002: Australia won by five wickets
2006: Australia won by an innings and 99 runs
2010: England won by an innings and 157 runs
2013: Australia won by 8 wickets