Melbourne, Dec. 27 -- England finally found their way back into the Ashes series with a four-wicket victory over Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a match that stood out not just for the result but for several rare statistical milestones. Despite the defeat, Australia continue to hold the Ashes and lead the series 3-1.

The Melbourne Test was notable for producing one of the highest match aggregates in Test history without a single individual half-century being scored. The combined tally of 572 runs in the match placed it among some unusual and historic encounters where batters failed to convert starts into big scores. The highest such aggregate remains 787 runs between Australia and England at Edgbaston in...