Australia vs England – 3rd Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Australia vs England taking place? Sunday, December 25th, 2021 – 23:30 (UK)
Where is Australia vs England taking place? Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
What is the expected weather for Australia vs England? 17-25c and dry across all five days with consistent cloud, but possible sunny intervals on Days 2 and 3.
What channel is Australia vs England on? The match will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream Australia vs England? The match can be streamed live via the BT Sport App
LAST MEETING
Australia beat England by 275 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
AUSTRALIA
- Australia continued their dominance over England in Adelaide, winning the toss on an excellent pitch and making it count with a big first innings score of 473, ensuring their domination throughout the second Test, culminating in their eventual victory.
- Captain Pat Cummins missed the match due to coming into close contact with an individual who tested positive for Covid-19, however the Aussie skipper is set to return to action in this third Test, likely replacing Michael Neser.
- Uncapped bowler Scott Boland has been called-up to the Australian squad as backup with Josh Hazlewood a serious injury doubt having missed the second Test, however the expectation is that Jhye Richardson on the back of a five-wicket haul to help run through England’s second innings in Adelaide will be given another opportunity, this time at the MCG
ENGLAND
- England’s batting once again proved far inferior to their opponents after being bowled out for just 236 in their first innings of the second Test on a flat pitch, giving away a vast first innings lead and despite a valiant effort from Jos Butter with support from the tail to try and save a draw in their second innings, the tourists eventually succumbed to defeat in the final session of Day 5.
- In a bid to avoid conceding an unassailable series deficit in Melbourne, England will once again look to make changes, this time primarily to their batting as they take the underperforming Surrey duo of Rory Burns and Ollie Pope out of the firing line, with the two likely to be replaced by Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow.
- After being rested in Adelaide, fast bowler Mark Wood should return to the side after an impressive showing in the first Test, whilst the big question is whether England will play a specialist spin-bowler in Jack Leach, after leaving him out of the second Test, despite the Adelaide pitch having proven productive to spin in the past.
THE PREDICTION
Whilst England have three Tests to redeem themselves, it’s already looking like another heavy Ashes series defeat down under is on the cards and they only have themselves to blame. Poor team selection, woefully inferior batting and terrible fielding sees them deservedly 2-0 down heading into the world-famous Boxing Day Test at the cricketing amphitheatre that is the MCG. Such a special occasion cannot fail to galvanise this England side into one last big effort in a bid to save the Ashes. However, the fact is that they have been totally outplayed so far by a better red ball side and it’s so hard to see that changing here.
As scary as it sounds, Australia will be an even stronger unit in the third Test than they were in the second with captain Cummins coming back into the team and a top order batting line-up that includes David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will once again be expected to pile on the runs, although England won’t help themselves if they continue to drop regulation catches. The pitch curator at the MCG has indicated that movement will be on offer for the bowlers with extra grass being left on the track. This is likely to ensure a result in this third Test, with England’s batters currently struggling enough on a flat Australian pitch, let alone one which offers movement! Ultimately, any result here other than an Australia win would be a big surprise.
