England aim to end hoodoo against Starc-less Australia

Australia have reclaimed the urn after defeating England in the first three Tests. © Getty

Once again, the Ashes have been won before the highpoint of the Australian summer. With a thrashing of hapless England at the WACA last week, Australia reclaimed the urn and have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead into the Boxing Day Test - the most revered match on the Australian cricket calendar.

Even though the fourth Test is a dead rubber, a record crowd is expected on Boxing Day fuelled by expected sunny and warm conditions in Melbourne. The MCG holds the record attendance for a Test day - 91,112 from the 2013-14 Ashes series.

Having stunningly reclaimed the Ashes, Australia will be intent on inching closer to another whitewash over their bitter rivals but will have to do so without the services of ailed spearhead Mitchell Starc, the leading wicket-taker of the series.

The brilliant trio of Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins overwhelmed England during the opening three Tests but the team's pace depth will be tested without their talisman. Jackson Bird, the backup quick, will finally get a call-up after biding his time patiently on the sidelines. It is a golden opportunity for the 31-year-old Tasmanian, who could also be a strong contender for the final Test in Sydney if either Starc misses again or selectors decide to rest Pat Cummins, who has a wretched injury history.

Having played somewhat cautiously during the first three Tests, Australia may be tempted to cut loose knowing they have safely secured the Ashes. David Warner, the aggressive Australian opener, has played within himself thus far but the stage could be set for the re-emergence of one of cricket's most flamboyant batsmen.

In a notable contrast, embattled England will be playing for pride and hoping to salvage something from a wretched tour. The tourists have been competitive at times but outclassed in the key moments and ultimately completely outplayed. No.5 batsman Dawid Malan's brilliant perfomance in Perth was somewhat of a silver lining amid the gloom and England will be looking for several more encouraging efforts in search of a desperately needed tonic. They will also be looking for improved performances from struggling stars Alastair Cook, captain Joe Root and Stuart Broad, who have all been well under par.

However, England received more bad fortune when Craig Overton, their emerging bowling allrounder, was ruled out of the fourth Test with a bruised rib and he will be replaced by uncapped quick Tom Curran, who was a tour replacement for the injured Steve Finn.

England will be hoping to avoid a humiliating whitewash and the flat MCG wicket could be their best chance of stymying a rampant Australia. Wickets will be hard to eke out on an MCG pitch that has heavily favoured batting in recent times. Root will be hoping to win the toss for the fourth straight Test and bat amid weather conditions set to be excellent in the early going before Melbourne's predictable fickleness rears later in the match.

A fourth straight Ashes victory will be a fitting finale for Australia, who started the year with an abundance of question marks after a turbulent 2016. Conversely, England will be determined to end their Australian hoodoo which now stretches to eight consecutive Test losses Down Under.

When: Tuesday, December 26-30, 2017; 10.30AM local, 5AM IST

Where: MCG, Melbourne

What to expect: The MCG pitch is expected to produce plenty of runs. In recent times, batting has become easier as the match has progressed. In typical erratic fashion, Melbourne's weather is set to jump around during the Test. The early part of the Test should be sunny and hot, but rain and cooler conditions are expected on days four and five.

Team News

Australia

Mitchell Starc has been ruled out after suffering a bruised heel in the third Test. He will be replaced by backup paceman Jackson Bird. Steve Smith had an injury scare at training on Christmas Eve but will play.

Australia XI: David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird

England

Craig Overton, the emerging allrounder, will miss the match due to a bruised rib. As a result, Surrey quick Tom Curran will be making his Test debut.

England XI: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (c), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Tom Curran, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson

Did you know?

Australia's last Test defeat at the MCG was in 2010 against England. They have won 5 of 6 since. England have lost 3 of 4 there this millennium.

Since making his maiden Test century in 2013, Steve Smith has made 22 tons in 48 Tests at an average of 71.

Australian offspinner Nathan Lyon is in pole position to finish 2017 as the world's leading wicket-taker. He currently has 60 wickets. Kagiso Rabada, the South African paceman, is in the frame having claimed 54 wickets and has a chance to challenge Lyon during the historic four-day Boxing Day match against Zimbabwe. James Anderson, the England spearhead, has an outside chance having taken 51 scalps.

What they said:

"He's bowled exceptionally well in the first couple of Shield games that he played (this season). He bowls well out here (at the MCG). He deserves a crack and hopefully he goes really well." - Australian captain Steve Smith on Jackson Bird

"Sometimes as a captain you have to go with your gut and he really hit home with me this week." - England captain Joe Root on picking Tom Curran ahead of Mark Wood and Jake Ball