Australia will take on England in the fourth Test of the Ashes 2025–26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Richmond on Friday, December 26. The series is already secured by Australia, who lead 3–0, but the Boxing Day Test promises intense competition as England looks to salvage pride and Australia aims to complete a dominant 4–0 sweep.
The match will start at 05:00 am PST, 12:30 pm IST, and 07:00 am GMT, giving fans in multiple regions the opportunity to follow this iconic Test encounter.
Match Details
-
Match: Australia vs England, 4th Test, The Ashes 2025–26
-
Date: Friday, December 26, 2025
-
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Richmond, Australia
-
Start Time: 12:30 pm IST, 05:00 am PST, 07:00 am GMT
-
Toss Prediction: To Bowl
-
Forecast: Overcast with rain expected on the first two days
Team Overviews
Australia has been unstoppable on home soil in this Ashes series, winning all three previous matches. Travis Head has led the batting charge with 379 runs at an average of 63.16, while Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith have provided stability in the middle order. Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey have added crucial contributions at the top and in difficult situations. The bowling attack has been spearheaded by Mitchell Starc, who has taken 22 wickets at 17.04, and Scott Boland with 11 wickets, providing consistent breakthroughs. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon are ruled out for this Test, with Todd Murphy and possibly Brendan Doggett expected to fill in. Australia will aim to exploit their superior form and familiarity with MCG conditions to wrap up the series emphatically.
England, on the other hand, is facing an uphill battle. The visitors have struggled throughout the series, with sporadic contributions from Joe Root (219 runs, average 44) and Zak Crawley (214 runs, average 35.66). Ben Stokes and Harry Brook have offered some resistance but have not consistently challenged Australia’s bowling. The bowling unit, without Jofra Archer, will rely on Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and the newcomers Gus Atkinson and Matt Potts to trouble the Australian lineup. England will look to make tactical adjustments, including potentially recalling Jacob Bethell, to stabilize the innings and avoid a whitewash.
Head-to-Head
In the current Ashes series, Australia leads 3–0 and has dominated all aspects of play. Historically, the MCG favors pacers, with 124 wickets taken by fast bowlers compared to 50 by spinners in the last five matches. Teams batting first at this venue have generally had an advantage, often targeting 300-plus totals to establish control.
Probable Playing XIs
Australia Predicted 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
England Predicted XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue
Key Players
For Australia, Travis Head, Alex Carey, and Mitchell Starc have been the standout performers. England will rely on Joe Root, Zak Crawley, and Ben Stokes for batting resilience, while Carse and Atkinson will look to generate breakthroughs with the new ball.
Pitch Report
The MCG surface is balanced but assists pace bowlers significantly. Early swing and seam movement will favor those bowling first, with minimal turn for spinners. Historical data shows that the venue produces moderate scoring, with an average first-innings total around 250–300. Teams winning the toss are likely to bowl to exploit overcast conditions early on.
Probable Scenarios and Match Prediction
Given Australia’s dominance and strong form at home, they are clear favorites to win the Boxing Day Test. England may look to play free cricket to avoid further humiliation, but the likelihood of Australia completing a 4–0 series sweep is high. The pacers are expected to control the game, and batting first will be the preferred option to set up a winning total.
Live streaming will be available in India on JioStar Network channels and the JioHotstar app and website. Australian viewers can watch on Fox Cricket and stream via Kayo Sports. International viewers can follow through official broadcasters covering Ashes 2025–26.