The Australian men’s cricket team is set to take on England in the 4th Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The 4th clash of the five-Test series will start from December 26 onwards.

A total of 117 Test matches have been played here. Australia have won 68 games and suffered 32 defeats. 17 matches have been drawn so far. Notably, England have featured in 57 Tests, winning 20, losing 29 and drawing 8.

Both sides have played one Test series each in the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Australia beat West Indies 3-0 away and lead the series 3-0 versus England. They are atop with a 100% PCT from 6 matches. Meanwhile, England are also playing their 2nd Test series. They drew 2-2 against India at home and trail this series 0-3.

What is the Context of the AUS vs ENG match?

England announced their playing XI for the 4th Test on December 24. They have roped in Gus Atkinson for the injured Jofra Archer. Will Jacks kept his place as there was no place for Shoaib Bashir for the 4th time in this series. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope was left out for Jacob Bethel.

For the Aussies, Steve Smith has returned to the squad after missing the previous Test at the Adelaide Oval with illness. Pat Cummins, who returned to action in the Adelaide Test, has been ruled out of the series alongside spinner Nathan Lyon.

Australia and England have featured in 364 Test matches. Australia have won 155 matches compared to the England team’s 112. A total of 97 matches have been drawn. In Australia, the two teams have met on 188 occasions. The hosts have claimed 102 wins besides losing 57. A total of 29 matches have been drawn.

The 4th Test between Australia and England will start at 5:00am IST on December 26 in Melbourne.

Australia – Probable Playing XI

Travis Head: The multi-format player can be Australia’s match-winner. He owns 4342 runs in Tests at 42.99. He hit 10 and 170 in the previous Test.

Jake Weatherald: He made Test debut in the 1st Ashes Test. Weatherald didn’t impress, scoring only 0 and 23. He shone thereafter in the 2nd Test and hit a crucial fifty in the match’s 2nd innings. In Adelaide, he suffered once again with 18 and 1.

Marnus Labuschagne: He fought his way back into the side after being dropped for the West Indies tour and delivered against England in Perth. Labuschagne also did well in the Gabba Test and is a clutch figure. However, he faltered in Adelaide, scoring 19 and 13.

Steve Smith (c): He led Australia for the 1st two Tests and was superb. He missed the 3rd Test. And now Smith is back once again and will lead the last two matches. He has a strong record at the MCG.

Usman Khawaja: The southpaw played a neat hand in the middle order in Adelaide, scoring 82 and 40.

Alex Carey (wk): A fierce player, left-handed batter Carey is a key asset. He has scored vital runs in this series and remains a threat.

Cameron Green: He is likely to keep his place and bat at seven as the all-rounder. A big game awaits Green who would be keen to make his presence felt with bat and ball.

Mitchell Starc: He will lead the Aussie attack. Starc has been magnificent in this Ashes series and one hopes to see him dominate once again. He has done well with the bat too.

Jhye Richardson: He is a good bowler but hasn’t played Test cricket. Australia will go with an all pace attack.

Scott Boland: The pacer has been decent in this series and will provide support to Starc in pace.

Michael Neser: He did well in the only Test he featured in this series. He bagged 6 wickets in Brisbane and was then dropped as Cummins came back. He is now set to return.

Player to watch out for (Steve Smith): The senior Aussie batter will want to bring his A game. He has a sound record at home in Tests.

England – Probable Playing XI

Ben Duckett : The England southpaw will aim to take on the Aussies from the start with his aggressive play. He scored 21 and 28 in the Perth Test. In Brisbane, he managed a paltry 0 and 15. In Adelaide, he got 29 and 4.

Zak Crawley : He will be supporting Duckett well at the top. Crawley bagged a pair in the Perth Test before being amongst the runs in Brisbane. He 9 and 85 in the 3rd Test.

Jacob Bethel: He will be backed to put up a shift. Replacing Ollie Pope is a deserved factor and now Bethel has to be an x-factor.

Joe Root: The 2nd-highest scorer in Tests, Root suffered in the 1st Ashes Test, scoring 0 and 8. He smashed a century in Brisbane next. Root scored 19 and 39 next. He hasn’t been consistent.

Harry Brook: He needs to curb his aggression and play a sound brand of cricket. He scored 53 and 0 in the 1st Test. The 2nd Test saw him get started before he threw the same away. He scored 45 and 30 next.

Ben Stokes (c): He will be aiming to bring his all-round play. Stokes has shown grit and character when needed in this series.

Jamie Smith (wk): The wicketkeeper batter can be a menace with his power-hitting and risk-taking abilities. He scored 33 and 15 in the Perth Test before failing cheaply in the 2nd clash. He managed 22 and 60 in Adelaide.

Will Jacks: He owns over 2500 First-Class runs with 4 tons and 16 fifties. With the ball, he has 50-plus scalps. He owns 4 Test caps for England.

Brydon Carse: He can chip in with the bat if needed and bring value. Being 12 Tests old, he has bagged 50 scalps. He picked 5 wickets in the 1st Test and 4 in the 2nd. In the 3rd, he claimed 5 scalps.

Gus Atkinson: He has replaced Archer in this match. Atkinson was dropped for the 3rd Test after not showing enough in the 1st two games.

Josh Tongue: He made a return to the side for Atkinson in Adelaide. He did a reasonable job with 5 wickets in the same.

Player to watch out for (Joe Root): He is a world class Test player and England will count on his attributes.

Top Batters for Dream11

In terms of the Dream11 team pick, among batters, the likes of Steve Smith, Joe Root and Harry Brook can be wise picks alongside Travis Head and Ben Duckett.

Jamie Smith can be a differential pick. He promises quick runs and able partnerships.

Best All-Rounders to Boost Points

In terms of all-rounders,  one can go with two sound options in the form of England skipper Ben Stokes and Australian powerhouse Cameron Green.

Bowlers to Watch in Dream11

With the surface expected to help pacers especially with the new ball, go for quicks. The likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Tongue and Michael Neser can be ideal picks. Spinner Todd Murphy can be handy.

Captain and Vice-captain picks

Head can be an ideal captaincy option with Brook being the vice-captain pick.

One can mix it with Starc being picked as captain and having Crawley as the vice-captain.

Pitch Report & Venue Conditions

Historically, the pitches at the MCG have facilitated well balanced contests between bat and ball. One expects a green top which will keep everyone involved. Ahead of the 4th Test, Melbourne Cricket Club curator Matt Page said he is aiming to replicate the pitch more or like the previous game here between Australia and India which went to Day 5. Last year, the Test had seven or eight (mm of grass) and one expects a similar show.

Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?

All things considered, both sides will be up for it on a surface that will help batters and assist pace, especially the new ball. Both teams will have 4 pace options and a spinner. Australia will be slightly ahead given the dominance of Mitchell Starc in the first three Tests. Batsmen will be in the contest and this provides an even contest. .

FAQs About AUS vs ENG Playing 11

Who are the key players in the AUS vs ENG clash?

For the Aussies, Steve Smith will want to bring his A game. He has a sound record at home in Tests. For England, Joe Root can be ominous for Australia. He is a sheer run-scorer.