England look for Boxing Day cheer as they seek Christmas miracle as the visitors have confirmed two changes.
With the Ashes gone, there is a feeling that England’s tour could devolve into chaos, even though some may argue that the point has already been reached at 3-0. The ongoing fallout from their mid-series holiday to Noosa has dominated the lead-up to the Boxing Day Test. Director of cricket Rob Key first stated that allegations of excessive drinking will be looked into, then a few hours later, video of Ben Duckett late at night surfaced.
Speaking to the media on Christmas Eve, captain Ben Stokes appeared tearful as he promised to do everything within his power to keep his players safe. He maintained that there was still hope that they could learn from this tour, but he refrained from repeating Zak Crawley’s assertion that a score of 3-2 wouldn’t be all that horrible.
England may have a chance against an Australia team that won’t be at full strength if they can play like they did in the second half of the Adelaide Test. However, this was also the case in the first two Tests and, to a lesser extent, last week because Josh Hazlewood hasn’t played at all. In response to a question following Adelaide, prior to the fourth Test, on how this Australia squad stacks up against others he’s faced, Stokes remarked, “I hope it doesn’t get lost, but this Australian team is very, very good.”
Although the biggest reward has been achieved, Pat Cummins declared the “job done” after Adelaide with the Ashes retained. However, their current focus is on a whitewash and crucial World Test Championship points. In 2017–18, Alastair Cook’s double tonne on a featherbed MCG surface forced the tie, but in 2021–2022, they were denied the 5-0 as England overcame a nine-point deficit at the SCG. This team wants to send England home with nothing at all, just like they did in 2006–07 and 2013–14.
Three of the Big Four will be absent from Australia, but Nathan Lyon’s absence is due to injury rather than selection this time. Lyon will try his hardest to make a comeback, but if Todd Murphy is selected instead of an all-pace assault on a well-grassed pitch, it is a preview of Australia’s future. There is a feeling that the next generation is getting closer to their moment, especially because Jhye Richardson is joining the team for the first time in a year.
Usman Khawaja, who scored 82 and 40 in Adelaide following a last-minute comeback to replace the sick Steven Smith, will be the most interesting choice for Australia’s Test team the Ashes. Whether Khawaja’s career now proceeds according to his wishes may depend on the result. Although Australia will make more alterations than England, this series has been distinguished by their flexibility and practicality.