Australia vs England, Ashes 4th Test Day 1 LIVE SCORE: Hello and a very warm welcome to day one of the fourth Test of the 2025-26 Ashes, live from the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
England’s Ashes tour, which
began with high hopes of reclaiming the urn, has devolved into a desperate attempt to salvage some dignity as they approach one of the great occasions on the sporting calendar, the Boxing Day Test.
Since surrendering the series meekly to a makeshift Australian team with a third consecutive defeat in Adelaide, the tourists have been heavily criticised, extending their winless streak in Australia to 18 Tests dating back to January 2011.
While reviews on preparations, squad selection, player behaviour, and skill execution will undoubtedly follow, England still face two more dead rubber matches before they can head home.
There remains ample opportunity for improvement at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from Friday, when the traditional festive crowd will likely pack the cavernous home of Australian cricket.
Playing XI –
Australia (From): Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (C), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey (WK), Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue
