Overview:
Australia and England have featured in 364 Test matches. Australia have won 155 matches compared to the England team’s 112.
The Australian cricket team gears up for the 4th clash of the 5-match Ashes series against England, starting November December 26. The Boxing Day Test match will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Australia beat England in the first three Tests and own a 3-0 lead. A win here in Melbourne will see them take a 4-0 lead in the series. For England, they need to win this contest and at least put up some fight as they risk a potential 5-0 defeat.
In the first Test, the Aussies rode on Travis Head’s brilliant ton at the Perth Stadium to take a 1-0 lead. The match was over inside 2 days. It was a low-scoring affair with Mitchell Starc doing well with the ball for Australia.
The 2nd Test was a Day/Night affair held in Brisbane Australia which sealed the contest with Starc once again shining with the ball and also with the bat. England fell flat despite Joe Root’s ton in the 1st innings.
The 3rd Test saw England suffer an 80-run defeat in Adelaide.
Ahead of the 4th Test, England announced their playing XI. They have dropped Ollie Pope for Jacob Bethell. Meanwhile, Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the series remainder. On the other hand, Australia saw Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon get ruled out of the 4th and 5th Test matches. Steve Smith makes a return after missing the previous match with illness.
Australia squad for Melbourne Test
Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland.
England squad for Melbourne Test
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongu
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.
Australia probable XI for the match against England
Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Cameron Green, Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Scott Boland.
England XI for the match against Australia
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson.
The 4th Test will start at 5:00am IST on December 26.
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne & Key Details of the Stadium
The MCG is located in Melbourne. The stadium was established in 1853 and has a capacity of 90,000 people. Besides cricket, the stadium has hosted Australian Rules Football, Soccer, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Lawn Bowls, and Squash. The MCG was also a centrepiece of the Olympic Games of 1956.
In cricket, the first Test played here was in 1877 between Australia and England.
What is the Pitch like at the MCG, Melbourne?
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.
Key Stats & Records at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, MCG
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.
Australia hold the highest team total record here, scoring 624/8 against Pakistan in 2016. The Aussies own 3 scores of 600-plus here. England’s best score here is 589 in 2012.
South Africa own the lowest team total here, being dismissed for 36 in 1932. Australia’s lowest score here is 83 versus India in 1981. England’s lowest total at the MCG reads 61 on two counts – 1904 and 1902.
Former Aussie legend Don Bradman owns the most runs here. He managed 1671 runs at 128.53. Among present cricketers, Steve Smith has managed 1246 runs at 77.87.
Among bowlers, Dennis Lillee is the top wicket-taker with 82 scalps from 14 Tests at 21.92. The late Shane Warne owns 56 scalps at 22.92, as per ESPNcricinfo.
AUS vs ENG: Weather Forecast – Will Rain Play a Role?
According to the weather forecast, Day 1 is expected to be cloudy with pleasant weather. Day 2 will see the weather be a bit warmer. Day 3 is expected to be hot and sunny. Day 4 will see the temperature rise making it more warm along with being partly cloudy at times. Day 5 could see rainfall on a warm day otherwise.
Australia vs England: Pitch Advantage for Which Side?
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 – Pitch Report for MCG, Melbourne
What is the pitch report for MCG, Melbourne
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.
What is AUS and ENG’s record at the MCG, Melbourne?
Notably, Australia and England have featured in 57 Tests at the MCG. The visitors have won 20, in addition to losing 29 and drawing 8.
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