AUS vs ENG 4th Test Match Preview – The focus of the cricketing world shifts to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the traditional Boxing Day Test. While Australia has already successfully retained the Ashes with a commanding 3-0 lead in the five-match series, the clash remains a high-stakes encounter for pride and World Test Championship points. England enters the contest seeking redemption after a difficult tour, while the hosts aim to continue their ruthless dominance in front of a festive home crowd.
AUS vs ENG 4th Test Match Details
| Feature | Details |
| Match | Australia vs England, 4th Test |
| Series | The Ashes, 2025-26 |
| Date | December 26 – December 30, 2025 |
| Time | 05:00 AM IST / 10:30 AM Local |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne |
| Live Telecast | JioHotstar, Star Sports (India); Channel Seven, Kayo Sports (Australia) |
AUS vs ENG 4th Test Head-to-Head at the MCG
Australia holds a historic advantage at this venue, having won 29 of the 57 Tests played between these two sides at the MCG.
| Team | Matches Played | Won | Lost | Drawn |
| Australia | 57 | 29 | 20 | 8 |
| England | 57 | 20 | 29 | 8 |
Overall Test Record: Australia has won 152 matches compared to England’s 112 in their 148-year rivalry.
Recent MCG Form: Australia has won their last four consecutive Tests at the venue. England’s last victory at the MCG dates back to 2010.
AUS vs ENG 4th Test Pitch Report: Melbourne Cricket Ground
The MCG surface is traditionally balanced, offering a fair contest between bat and ball.
Early Behaviour: Pacers can expect seam movement and true bounce in the opening session.
Batting Conditions: The pitch tends to flatten out after the first session, making it ideal for stroke-play during the middle days.
Later Stages: From Day 4 onwards, spinners typically become more effective as the surface wears.
Scoring: The average first-innings total at this ground is approximately 307–340 runs.
AUS vs ENG 4th Test Weather Report (Day 1)
The forecast suggests mild summer conditions for the start of the Boxing Day Test.
Condition: Mostly cloudy with occasional breaks of sun.
Temperature: High of $16^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $20^{\circ}\text{C}$.
Rain Chance: Low, approximately 20% probability of a brief shower.
Wind: Southerly winds at 20-30 km/h.
AUS vs ENG 4th Test Squads
Australia Squad: Steven Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon (out for series), Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Michael Neser, Pat Cummins (c – missing MCG).
Note: Steve Smith captains in the absence of Pat Cummins (workload management).
England Squad: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer (out for series), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Matthew Fisher, Shoaib Bashir.
AUS vs ENG 4th Test Confirmed & Possible Playing 11
England (Confirmed XI):
Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Jacob Bethell (Test debut)
Joe Root
Harry Brook
Ben Stokes (c)
Jamie Smith (wk)
Will Jacks
Gus Atkinson
Brydon Carse
Josh Tongue
Australia (Possible XI):
Jake Weatherald
Travis Head
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith (c)
Usman Khawaja
Alex Carey (wk)
Cameron Green
Michael Neser
Mitchell Starc
Todd Murphy
Scott Boland
AUS vs ENG 4th Test Match Prediction
Australia enters as the overwhelming favorite with a 60.5% win probability. Despite the absence of Pat Cummins, the hosts’ depth and the exceptional MCG record of Steve Smith (avg 77.87) and Scott Boland (famous 6/7 haul at the MCG) make them formidable. For England, much relies on Joe Root and the debut of Jacob Bethell to solve their top-order fragility.
Prediction: Australia to win and take a 4-0 lead.
