Overview
- Smith has been medically cleared after a vestibular episode and will lead Australia, having missed the third Test in Adelaide.
- Australia’s 12 includes Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson, with Todd Murphy omitted and Josh Inglis dropped as Usman Khawaja keeps his place.
- Pat Cummins continues to sit out to manage a back issue and Nathan Lyon is out with a hamstring injury, though Australia still target World Test Championship points after going 3-0 up.
- England named an XI featuring debutant Jacob Bethell at No. 3 and seamer Gus Atkinson, with Jofra Archer ruled out of the series by a side strain.
- Smith said the pitch has about 10mm of grass and looks “furry” and overcast conditions are expected early, with the final Australian XI to be confirmed at the toss for the December 26–30 Test.