Australia vs England, 3rd Ashes Test, Match Preview, Playing XI and broadcast details

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) can be a daunting place to play for visiting teams. It is one of the largest stadiums in the world, and a partisan Australian crowd supports its team in vociferous fashion. And, the task will get even more daunting for the visiting team for this year’s Boxing Day Test match (England), as they will step into this iconic venue with their backs against the wall.

England has been battered in the ongoing Ashes so far and has lost the first two Test matches. The first Test did not even last for five days, and Australia thrashed their opponents by nine wickets. Even though the second Test lasted for five days, England were outplayed completely, and the Aussies pummeled the Joe Root-led side by 275 runs.

The England batters have just not ‘turned up’ in this series so far. Apart from Root and Dawid Malan, not even a single England batter has scored a half-century in all four innings put together in the series. And, if England need to challenge Australia, the willow-wielders need to put their hands up and fight.

Even on the bowling front too, England have fallen short. The Aussies have not been bothered by the England bowling attack, and have milked runs. Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head have already scored a hundred each; Steve Smith helped himself to 93 in Adelaide, and David Warner also has a couple of nineties to his name.

The Australian bowlers, on the other hand, have caused a lot of problems to the England side. Mitchell Starc has accounted for nine England batters in two Tests, while Nathan Lyon too, has scalped nine wickets. Pat Cummins took seven wickets in the 1st Test, while Jhye Richardson scalped a five-wicket haul in the second Test match at Adelaide.

Australia have bossed over England in this Ashes series so far and will look to inflict more misery on their opponents and take a 3-0 lead. England, in the meantime, will be hoping to turn things around, as a loss at the MCG will mean that they will surrender the series.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at the MCG is a ‘balanced one’. The track is expected to assist the pacers in the early part of the match, while the batters will also be rewarded if they get through the initial phase.

Playing Combinations for AUS vs ENG

Australia

The Aussies have already named their playing eleven for the game. Scott Boland is set to make his debut in the longest format after playing quite a few ODIs and T20Is. Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser have been left out. Pat Cummins has also returned to the eleven.

Playing XI: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

England

England have made as many as four changes in their eleven from the previous match. Zak Crawley has replaced Rory Burns as the opener. Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes didn’t find a place in the team either. Jack Leach has returned to the setup after England’s all-pace attack in the Day-Night Test failed. Jonny Bairstow has also returned to the playing eleven in place of Ollie Pope.

Playing XI: Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wk), Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson.

Australia vs England Head-to-Head

Overall

Matches- 353, Australia – 148, England– 110, Draw – 95

In Australia

Matches- 182, Australia – 97, England– 57, Draw – 28

Australia vs England Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 05:00 AM IST

TV – Sony Sports Network

Live Streaming – Sony Liv