Overton ruled out of Boxing Day Test with fractured rib

Tom Curran might go on to replace Overton. © Getty

England's Ashes campaign suffered another blow on Sunday (December 24) when pacer Craig Overton was ruled out of the fourth Test with a fractured rib. Overton, who made his debut in the day-night Test in Adelaide, looked impressive with both bat and ball but still saw his side slump to a defeat, which was followed by another morale-crushing loss in the third Test in Perth.

The 23-year-old was initially struck on the ribs during his debut while batting and the condition only worsened at the WACA when he attempted to take a catch off his bowling. Scans later revealed a crack in the rib.

Surrey pacer Tom Curran looks the likeliest candidate to make his debut at the MCG in Overton's absence while Jake Ball and Mark Wood stand an outside chance. Earlier this year, Curran had made his debut for England in the other two formats of the game. He flew into Australia as a replacement for the injured Steven Finn.

England have already lost the urn having been at the receiving end in the first three Tests. The fourth Test starts on December 26.