The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is always a special affair but not much will be at stake when Australia take on England in the fourth Ashes Test starting on Sunday.
Having taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series courtesy of their victory by over an innings in the third Test, Steve Smith’s men will be bidding for a 5-0 whitewash over the visitors.
Joe Root’s men are in desperate need to salvage some pride Down Under in an Ashes where they have looked pretty ordinary and second best in every department.
Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, we assess the key talking points.
HOSTS AIM FOR THREE WHITEWASHES OUT OF FOUR
England have been at the receiving end of two 5-0 humiliations in their last three Ashes tours of the country.
Four years ago, they were famously routed by Michael Clarke’s men riding on the excellence of Mitchell Johnson.
Lose the Melbourne Test and the whitewash taunts will be getting much louder for the tourists.
Australia are not expected to ease the pressure and will be gunning for another victory in front of the Melbourne faithful.
With Smith leading with the bat and the bowling attack firing from all fronts, Australia look impossible to stop and it will take some doing from England to etch out a win.
Smith has led from the front with some Herculean scores this series.
MITCHELL STARC’S FITNESS CONCERNS
The leading wicket-taker in the series with 19 scalps, Starc’s participation in the Boxing Day Test is under a cloud with the pacer’s chances being pegged at 50/50.
The left-armer has bowled with ferocity in all three matches so far with his wickets coming at an average of 21.05, while his delivery to clean up James Vince’s off-stump at the WACA is already the leading contender for the ‘ball of the series’.
If Starc misses out, Tasmanian pacer Jackson Bird is expected to take his slot in the team.
Starc’s absence would be welcome relief for the English.
MARK WOOD OR TOM CURRAN FOR ENGLAND
Craig Overton’s debut has been one of the few positives for the visitors in a dismal tour but the all-rounder suffered a hairline fracture in his rib during the Perth Test.
His injury could be the saving grace for Stuart Broad who has come under fire for his ineffective performances during the series.
Question marks had been raised over Broad’s future viability but the pacer is now set to keep his place.
This would mean it will be a toss-up between Mark Wood and Tom Curran for the third pacer’s slot at Melbourne.
Curran has been impressive in County cricket and performed well for a Moeen Ali-led England XI in a recent two day warm-up game.
Wood has recently returned from injury and looked solid in the same warm-up game, but Curran’s ability with the bat in hand might just give him the edge.
Curran could get the nod for his Test debut for England.
COOK AND ALI TO KEEP THEIR SPOTS
Both Cook and Ali have had quiet series so far but both are set to retain their spots in the playing XI due to a lack of alternatives.
England do not have a lot of options in the opening department having tried so many to partner Cook in recent times.
With his valuable experience, it might mean Cook will continue to open with Mark Stoneman.
Ali, who has been woeful with both bat and ball, might still keep his place due to England’s only other spin option being an uncapped 20-year-old Mason Crane.
While the temptation to throw in the youngster will be a strong one, it may be an Ashes Test too soon for Crane.
Cook and Ali could continue despite being woefully out of form.
