2025/26 ashes is retained by australiaIn a record-breaking fashion, but boxing day test The MCG remains the crown jewel of the cricket calendar. While Kalash is staying in Australia after an impressive 3-0 start, pride, World Test Championship points and individual careers are very much at stake as more than 90,000 fans descend on Melbourne.
Australia enter the MCG on a high after clinical wins in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide. The series was clinched in just 11 days of play – the fastest since 2002/03. EnglandIn the meantime, they are in damage-control mode. After consistently failing to cross the 300 mark and struggling to contain the aggressive Australian middle-order, ben stokes‘The team is facing a tough challenge to avoid a 5-0 whitewash.
team combination
steve smith Returns to lead the side as pat cummins The previous issue has been taken out of the remainder of the series to manage. great spinner nathan lyon Is out due to hamstring injury, opening the door for todd murphyWhen it comes to England, the 21-year-old jacob bethel Has been called to debut at number 3 in place of Ollie PopeWho were removed after continuous low scores. Their best performer on the tour, jofra archerOut due to side strain. Gus Atkinson Returns to the side to provide pace threat. stokes and Joe Root Be the heart of the team, but they need support from people who jack crawley And harry brook To post a competitive total.
boxing day test pitch report
The MCG pitch for the 2025 Boxing Day Test is expected to be a high-quality, balanced surface that will continue the recent trend of being one of the best cricket wickets in Australia. Expect “green color” and moisture on the first day. With unseasonably cold forecast (topping out at 17°C), the ball is expected to swing and seam a lot in the first two sessions. Traditionally, the MCG pitch levels out during the second and third days. Once the initial moisture evaporates, it becomes an excellent surface for stroke play, suited for set batsmen.
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Test statistics and records at Melbourne Cricket Ground
- total tally:119
- Matches were won by batting first:58
- Matches won by bowling first:43
- Average score of first innings:307
- Average score of second innings:314
- average score of third innings:251
- average fourth innings score:171
- highest total recorded: 624/8 (142 overs) Australia vs Pakistan
- lowest total recorded: 36/10 (23.2 overs) South Africa vs Australia
- Highest score chased: 332/7 (159.5 overs) England vs Australia
- lowest score defended: 83/10 (48.4 overs) Australia vs India
