Ashes, 3rd Test: Australia eye series, England face must-win situation

Australia are set to take on England in the
third Ashes Test of a five-match series on Boxing Day at the iconic Melbourne
Cricket Ground on Sunday. As Australia are currently leading the series 2-0,
riding on massive victories in Brisbane and Adelaide, England need to win the
Melbourne Test to stay alive in the series. England lost the first Test by nine
wickets, while in Adelaide Australia handed them a 275 runs defeat.

Also Read: Ashes, 3rd Test: England make 4 changes, Scott Boland debuts for Australia

Australia will retain the Ashes if they win
at the MCG. For England, even a draw will keep their hopes in the series alive.

The prestigious Ashes urn currently belongs
to Australia after the 2019 series ended in a 2-2 draw. England last won the
Ashes in Australia in 2010-11 while their last Ashes win at home came in 2015
when they defeated Australia 3-2.

Also Read: Ashes: Australia take a 2-0 lead, targeting 5-0

Key stats

Australia and England have played 56 test
matches at the MCG. While Australia won on 28 occasions, England pocketed 20
matches. Eight matches ended in a draw.

Overall in Test cricket, Australia have won
64 matches at this venue (123 Tests). They have lost here on 32 occasions
(drawn 17).

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Pitch report

The MCG assists pacers as it generates pace
and bounce, spinners may get assist in the second innings.

Team news

Josh Hazlewood will miss the third Test as
he continues to recover from a side strain. Pacer Scott Boland will make debut
as his replacement. Meanwhile, captain Pat Cummins will return to the side
after missing the second Test after coming in contact with a COVID-19 positive.

Also Read: Ashes: Joe Root becomes fourth player in history to score 1,600 Test runs in a calendar year

England, on the other hand, made four changes.
Mark Wood, who missed the Adelaide Test, will return to the playing XI
replacing Chris Woakes while Stuart Broad will be replaced by Ollie Robinson.
Meanwhile, Zak Crawley will replace Ollie Pope.

After missing the plot in the second Test,
England are likely to play a spinner with either Jack Leach or Dom Bess to make
the playing XI.

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Teams

England XI: Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley,
Dawid Malan, Joe Root (capt), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Mark
Wood, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson

Australia XI: David Warner, Marcus Harris,
Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat
Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland