A jam-packed MCG will be a sight for sore eyes on Sunday as the traditional Boxing Day Test gets underway.
Australia remains a dominant favourite to retain the urn following a comfortable victory in Adelaide, and the potential return of captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will only boost their chances.
England has plenty to think about after failing to bowl out the Australians in both innings of the Second Test, and things aren’t about to get any easier in front of 100,00 at the ‘G.
Nothing tops the excitement of the Boxing Day Test, and we’ve got you covered with our best bets ahead of the first ball below!
Australia
No Pat Cummins and no Josh Hazlewood proved no problem for Australia in Adelaide.
Jyhe Richardson and Michael Neser both made their presence felt at various stages of the Second Test, but there’s no doubt the Aussies will be keen to get Cummins and Hazlewood back in time for Boxing Day.
Hazlewood has returned to the squad and Cummins is available, while the only other change for the Australians could come at the top of the order with Usman Khawaja a chance at opening.
Mitchell Starc, responsible for six wickets in Adelaide, is the other name worth monitoring after battling through a slight back strain in the second innings.
Overall though, Australia has shown it has enough depth to overcome any injury, and with the batting proving formidable from top to bottom, it’s hard to find fault in Justin Langer’s side.
That said, playing at the MCG has given the Aussies grief in the past, mainly against India.
The Melbourne wicket again came under scrutiny following last year’s loss as a David Warner-less Australia tallied only 195 runs in the first innings.
The good news is the Australian batting order is healthy and in much better form this summer, while the English bowling attack doesn’t come close to measuring up to India’s.
Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith are all seeing the ball nicely right now, and with Cameron Green also starting to come into his own in both facets of the game, the Aussies look extremely tough to beat once again.
England
There were positives to take away from England’s performance in Adelaide, but the same problems that plagued them in Brisbane were still present.
James Anderson and Stuart Broad’s inclusion really helped improve the bowling attack, but England still failed to make the most of its chances in the field.
Marnus Labuschagne was given another nine lives at the crease on his way to a first-innings century, while costly drops from the likes of Jos Buttler proved crucial.
Joe Root has been the one shining light with the bat as the England skipper continues to put on runs.
Sadly, the same can’t be said for the likes of Rory Burns and Ollie Pope though as the top and middle of the England order remains shaky.
The pressure of playing a Boxing Day Test will only amplify some of the mistakes that have plagued England throughout this series.
A little more match fitness under the belt of Broad and Anderson will be a plus, but unless they can exploit the unpredictable MCG wicket, this shapes as another long five days for the tourists.
Match Betting
Australia continues to shorten in betting, and it’s no real surprise given England’s questionable tactics and selections up until this point.
The omission of Jack Leach ahead of the Second Test was questionable on what is always a bounce Adelaide wicket – a decision that ultimately left England short on any real spin specialists.
The visitors also haven’t gotten as much out of Ben Stokes as they would have liked, while the basic drop catches in the field has only complicated matters.
Until we see England improve, it’s hard to back any kind of upset.
Bet Now: Boxing Day Test Betting
Australia Top 1st Innings Runscorer
This might be somewhat of a revenge Test for Steve Smith following last year’s problems in Melbourne.
Smith was caught for a duck in the first innings against India before being bowled out for a measly eight runs next time out at the crease.
He’s since gone on to rediscover his world-class form during this year’s Ashes series, but he should be hungry to make up for a mistake that cost him a century in Adelaide last week.
Bet Now: Australia Top 1st Innings Runscorer
England Top 1st Innings Runscorer
For similar reasons to Smith, this also shapes as an important test for Joe Root.
The England skipper was on his way to a century on day three in Adelaide before disaster struck on the final delivery of the night.
Root has really been the only dependable member of the England attack, and his 33 run average in two Boxing Day Test matches makes him the deserving favourite.
Bet Now: England Top 1st Innings Runscorer
Australia Top 1st Innings Wicket Taker
Pat Cummins has done some special things on the Boxing Day stage in the past, most notably taking nine wickets against India back in 2018.
He’s fresh after missing the Second Test due to a COVID scare last week, and with Mitch Starc’s back playing up, Cummins is probably the safest option to lead the charge for the Aussies.
Bet Now: Australia Top 1st Innings Wicket Taker
England Top 1st Innings Wicket Taker
England’s bowling attack really is a guessing game right now.
It’s likely we see Jack Leach return to the side and maybe even Mark Wood, but as far as top wicket taker is concerned, it’s hard to go past Jimmy Anderson.
The England veteran has played three Boxing Day Tests for a combined 13 wickets, a number he can add to with some fitness now on his side from Adelaide.
The Melbourne wicket has been a paradise for quicks over the last few years, and no one knows it better than Anderson.
Bet Now: England Top 1st Innings Wicket Taker
