England vs Australia Fourth Test LIVE: UK times, toss, scorecard and where to watch Boxing Day clash

Dec 23, 2025 - 19:45

England take on Australia in the fourth Ashes Test aiming to restore some pride in what has been a disastrous series Down Under.

Australia have already claimed the 2025/26 Ashes having taken an unassailable 3-0 lead thanks to wins in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.

England have endured a miserable Ashes series so far

Australia wrapped up the Ashes series with victory in Adelaide

The tourists must dust now dust themselves down and show fight in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day.

The match comes just six days after Australia claimed an 82-run victory at the Adelaide Oval to retain the urn.

That came after a comfortable eight wicket wins in both Perth and Brisbane.

England will be hoping opener Zak Crawley can continue his improved form following his 76 and 44 in Brisbane while playing a solid innings in Adelaide.

He was upstaged in the third Test by Australia’s Alex Carey who scored 206 and 72 while taking six catches on his stomping ground.

Australia captain Pat Cummins will miss the fourth Test as will spinner Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazelwood.

But the hosts will be able to call upon Steve Smith after he missed the third Test due to vertigo.

England must do everything they can to banish the recent controversy surrounding the conduct of their players on tour and avoid an embarrassing 5-0 whitewash.

England vs Australia: Date and how to follow fourth Test

The fourth Test in this edition of The Ashes is running from Friday, December 26 to Tuesday, December 30.

In the UK, play will get started at 11:30pm on Christmas night due to the time difference.

90,000 spectators are expected to cram into the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day

The Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the fourth Test and there is expected to be close to 90,000 people in attendance.

TNT Sports have the TV rights for the Ashes thanks to their deal with Cricket Australia, and will show every ball on TNT and discovery+.

talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will also be right across the action.

Every morning at 7am, there will be a special episode of Following On with Steve Harmison and Jon Norman to take you through the reaction.

That will be available on talkSPORT 2 and the talkSPORT Cricket YouTube channel.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Steve Smith wears black strips under his eyes — Smith will return for the fourth Test to lead Australia in Melbourne

Zak Crawley celebrates getting to his 50 at The Gabba in the second Ashes Test

Crawley has grown into the series after struggling during the first Test in Perth[/caption]

England cricketer Ben Stokes at the Ashes — Can Stokes and co restore some pride this series?

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England vs Australia: Team news and scorecard

The latest scorecard from Melbourne can be found here.

Australia predicted line-up

Travis Head
Jake Weatherald
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith (C)
Usman Khawaja
Alex Carey (WK)
Cameron Green
Michael Neser
Mitchell Starc
Todd Murphy
Scott Boland

England predicted line-up

Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Jacob Bethell
Joe Root
Harry Brook
Ben Stokes (C)
Jamie Smith (WK)
Will Jacks
Gus Atkinson
Jofra Archer
Josh Tongue