Ashes 2025-26: England announce XI for Boxing Day Test, Archer and Pope miss out

England Men have named their team for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, starting on Boxing Day. The Three Lions have made two changes to the XI that played in the third Test in Adelaide.

Fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the remainder of the tour with a left side strain, and Surrey batter Ollie Pope also misses out.

Warwickshire all-rounder Jacob Bethell comes into the side and will bat at number three. Surrey seamer Gus Atkinson returns after missing the third Test.

The tourists are in a spot of bother, having already lost their chance to reclaim the Ashes after losing the first three Tests in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide comprehensively. Ben Stokes' men are staring at another 5-0 mauling Down Under.

Archer has been England's joint-highest wicket-taker in the series alongside skipper Ben Stokes. In three matches, the Bridgetown-born picked up nine wickets at an average of 27.11.

On the other hand, Ollie Pope has had a disappointing campaign in Australia so far. In the first three games, he could only aggregate 125 runs at an average of 20.83. This includes a highest score of only 46.

Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson played the first two Tests, where he picked up three wickets at an average of 78.67 and an economy rate of 4.37. The right-arm speedster would want to bounce back strongly after getting a breather in Adelaide.

Bethell, who will be playing his first Ashes encounter, has had a decent start to his Test career. In eight innings, he has scored 271 runs at an average of 38.71. The 22-year-old has also chipped in with the ball, bagging three scalps. He last played a Test match against India at the Kennington Oval in July.

England XI for fourth Ashes Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (Captain), Jamie Smith (WK), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue.