- England look to restore some pride and avoid the threat of an Ashes whitewash
- Melbourne’s cavernous MCG hosts the Boxing Day Test against Joe Root’s team
- Root’s side looking to avenge their innings and 41 run defeat at the WACA
- Australia captain Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bat on the first day
England head into day one of the fourth Test looking to regain some pride after surrendering the Ashes to Australia.
Steve Smith’s side followed up victories in Adelaide and Brisbane with a resounding win in the third Test that saw the urn change hands once more. The Australia captain led from the front as they secured series victory with an innings-and-41-run victory at the WACA last time out.
After losing 5-0 in 2013-14, England are looking to avoid a second consecutive whitewash in Australia and a third in 11 years – and a good start at the MCG is vital to avoid going 4-0 down with only the final match at the atmospheric SCG to come.
Surrey pace bowler Tom Curran will make his England Test debut in Melbourne. The 22-year-old replaces the injured Craig Overton and faces a baptism of fire in one of sport’s iconic fixtures.
You can follow the day-one action with Sportsmail’s DANIEL MATTHEWS, with PAUL NEWMAN and CHARLES SALE providing updates and session reports from Adelaide.
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