AUS v ENG, The Ashes, 4th Test Preview: Arch rivals gear up for an exciting boxing day clash

After three ruthless performances which helped Australia regain the Urn, their excitement will be no less for the Boxing Day Test on Tuesday. Melbourne always records high attendances on Boxing Days and this time, it won’t be any different. A fact that Australia has already sealed the series might attract more fans to come in, as they are playing some high-quality cricket.

Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh rescued the Aussies out of a predicament at Perth. It was their partnership which helped them bid a proper farewell to the one of the finest ever stadiums, The WACA. They look solid across all departments and whenever they’re in trouble, someone in the lineup is stepping up and ensuring their skipper’s shoulders stay broad.

The English on the other side, have produced a dismal performance. Nathan Lyon’s controversial statements on ending few careers with this Ashes don’t seem an exaggeration any more. If there is anyone in their side who needs runs right now, it’s Alastair Cook. The senior most batter in the lineup needs to prove a point to his captain and help their side avoid a painful whitewash.

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 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

Focus will be on

Marsh Brothers (Australia)

One brother helped them win the second Test, the other one stitched an outstanding partnership with his skipper in the third. Mitchell Marsh and Shaun Marsh have owned the Ashes this time with their spectacular renditions. Especially Mitchell Marsh’s knock at Perth (His home ground) was beyond description of words. Three members from the Marsh family have centuries after their name in the Ashes and that is quite a record to hold. Needless to say, they’ll hog a lot of limelight.

James Anderson (England)

Anderson has had a decent series personally, but his effort hasn’t been enough to even inflict a draw for his side. Anderson is the senior most person in the unit and has been in this helpless situation a lot of times. If ever they need a person to cheer them up both vocally and with their performance, it has to be Anderson and Cook. It’ll be interesting to see what the legendary fast bowler will do to turn things around.

Playing Combinations

Australia

The hosts will be trusting Cameron Bancroft for the rest of the series as he will open the innings alongside David Warner. With Khawaja coming in at number 3, skipper Steve Smith will follow at number 4. Marsh brothers, Shaun and Mitchell will follow with wicket-keeper Tim Paine coming in at number 7.

Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the third Test and Jackson Bird is set to take his place. Patrick Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are collaborating brilliantly together and both of them are amongst the wickets. Nathan Lyon too has been sensational thus far and he will be looking to add more wickets to his tally.

England

After completing a staggering 150 Tests, Alastair Cook finds himself in a very precarious situation.  He will open alongside Mark Stoneman, with James Vince at three. Root will take the number four spot and Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes will follow.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad will yet again lead the lines for the English. Tom Curran is all set to make a dream debut for his national side at the iconic Melbourne Stadium, against their arch-rivals, on the boxing day. Woakes and Moeen Ali are trying to fill in Ben Stokes’ boots, which they haven’t done properly as yet.

StatAttack

3 – England lost three of the four Tests played at MCG since the turn of the millenium.

60 – Nathan Lyon has an incredible opportunity to finish as the highest wicket-taker this year in Tests with 60 scalps already after his name.