Australia vs. England: Aussies Aim for Whitewash in Boxing Day Test

Melbourne, December 25, 2025 – The highly anticipated fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England is set to commence on December 26th at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With Australia having already secured the Ashes after taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, they will be looking to continue their dominance and achieve a clean sweep on home soil.

England, on the other hand, are desperate to salvage some pride and avoid a series whitewash. Captain Ben Stokes has acknowledged the series loss, and the team faces immense pressure to deliver a competitive performance.

Team News and Updates

Australia has been forced to make changes to their winning side, with both captain Pat Cummins and key spinner Nathan Lyon ruled out of the Boxing Day Test. Cummins will miss the remainder of the series, while Lyon is sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during the Adelaide Test. In Lyon's absence, Todd Murphy has been added to the squad, providing an extra spin option on what is expected to be a turning MCG pitch. Australia has signaled their intent for a pace-heavy attack. Steve Smith will captain the side in Cummins' absence.

England's woes have been compounded by the loss of Jofra Archer, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the Ashes series due to a side strain. Gus Atkinson returns to the team to bolster the pace attack, joining Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue. The English batting lineup is also under scrutiny, with openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

The MCG curator, Matt Page, has aimed to replicate the surface that produced a thrilling five-day match between Australia and India last year. There is a chance of showers on the first and fifth days of the Test. Temperatures are expected to be pleasant, peaking around 30 degrees Celsius.

Key Players to Watch

For Australia, all eyes will be on hometown hero Scott Boland, who has a knack for performing well at the MCG. Travis Head, the series' leading run-scorer, will be looking to continue his aggressive form. Mitchell Starc, the leading wicket-taker, will spearhead the Australian pace attack.

England will be hoping for a strong performance from Jacob Bethell with the bat. A batting resurgence from the top order is crucial if England are to compete.

Session Timings (Indian Standard Time)

• Session 1: 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM
• Lunch: 7:00 AM to 7:40 AM
• Session 2: 7:40 AM to 9:40 AM
• Tea: 9:40 AM to 10:00 AM
• Session 3: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Where to Watch

The Australia vs England Tests will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website and telecast on the Star Sports network.

With Australia aiming for a dominant series victory and England fighting to restore some pride, the Boxing Day Test promises to be a captivating contest.