Overview
- Australia dropped a specialist spinner for the MCG and confirmed a four-seamer plan, recalling Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, with Steve Smith captaining in Pat Cummins’ absence.
- Steve Smith said the decision was conditions-led, citing about 10mm of grass and cool, overcast weather expected to aid lateral movement on day one.
- Ben Stokes won the toss and sent Australia in; Josh Tongue removed Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and Smith, while Gus Atkinson dismissed Travis Head, leaving Usman Khawaja 21* and Alex Carey 9* at the interval.
- England’s XI featured Jacob Bethell in for Ollie Pope and Gus Atkinson for the injured Jofra Archer, who was ruled out of the rest of the series with a side strain.
- Australia entered Melbourne with an unassailable 3-0 lead and are chasing a 5-0 sweep, with Nathan Lyon sidelined by a hamstring injury and World Test Championship points also on offer.