The Ashes 2025-26 - Australia vs England Preview & Prediction | 4th Test
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With the Ashes having already been retained by Australia, England are looking to restore some pride in the Boxing Day test, whilst the hosts are eying up the ultimate humiliation of a 5-0 sweep.
Date/time:
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne, Australia
Weather: Potential for rain on day five but aside from that, plenty of sunshine is expected over the course of this third test with scorching hot temperatures on days one and two in particular. Temperatures will reach highs of 30c on day four.
How to watch: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Willow TV / Australia – Fox Sports and Channel 7
Australia vs England prediction
Another Ashes tour, another disappointment for England, whose quest to regain the Ashes has ended after 11 days of cricket. At least in the third test, they managed to take it five days before Australia finally saw them off, winning by 82 runs in Adelaide. Now it’s about restoring some respectability and showing fight for the thousands of fans who’ve travelled to watch Ben Stokes’ side.
Injuries have dogged the Australian squad all series long despite their success and spinner Nathan Lyon is the latest to be ruled out of the remaining two tests after suffering a hamstring injury. He joins fellow bowler Josh Hazlewood on the sidelines, whilst captain Pat Cummins is likely to rest with the Ashes secure. Steve Smith should be back from illness.
England need to be motivated despite the Ashes being gone. The embarrassment of potentially being swept 5-0 won’t be lost on them. The Boxing Day test at the MCG is among the most iconic events in world sport and if their players can’t turn up for this, they’ll be beyond help. Shoaib Bashir is unlikely to get a chance with Will Jacks having come in and played well. Brydon Carse could be taken out for Gus Atkinson.
One player who can hold his head up high is Jofra Archer. The fast bowler is been excellent for England, both with ball and bat. He’s been good economically and always poses a significant wicket-taking threat. Rather than backing a winner here, consider making a play on Archer to take over 3.5 match wicket.
Australia vs England tip: Jofra Archer to take over 3.5 match wickets
