Australia vs England 2025 Boxing Day Test Match Preview

Overview

The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 25, 2025, at 11:30 PM GMT is set to be a highly anticipated clash between two of cricket's fiercest rivals. Australia and England will lock horns in a four-day Test match that carries significant historical weight and high stakes for both teams.

For Australia, the match presents an opportunity to extend their dominant unbeaten home record against England to 18 matches. The absence of key fast bowlers like Pat Cummins, Jhye Hazelwood, and Nathan Lyon could test the depth of their squad, but the presence of experienced players such as Steve Smith and Travis Head adds a sense of calm and leadership.

England, on the other hand, will be playing with pride on the line. With limited options for change and a need to regroup following recent setbacks, the visitors will rely on strong performances from their batting stars and potentially a breakout effort from their young bowling talent.

Key Points to Watch

• Australia’s Challenge: Can they maintain their formidable home record despite missing key fast bowlers?
• England’s Opportunity: Can they capitalize on Australia’s weakened attack and secure a much-needed win?
• Pitch Conditions: The MCG pitch, while generally batting-friendly, can offer early assistance to seamers in the Boxing Day conditions. The weather and bounce will play a crucial role in determining the game's direction.

Match Predictions & Betting Insights

Possible Outcomes:

• England to Win (11/5): With Australia’s attack weakened, England could exploit the opportunity to end their poor run in the series.
• Scott Boland Over 4.5 Wickets (4/6): The left-arm spinner has a strong record against England at home and is expected to be a key threat.
• Josh Tongue Top Bowler (11/4): Tongue’s impressive debut performance has earned him the spotlight, and he could be England’s standout performer.

Player Considerations

Australia:

• Steve Smith (Captain) will be central to the team's batting success.
• Travis Head and Usman Khawaja are expected to provide stability at the top and middle order.
• Scott Boland is the key spin threat and will be crucial in the second innings.
• Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser will carry the bulk of the pace attack.

England:

• Ben Duckett and Harry Brook have been in excellent form and will be key to the batting line-up.
• Jacob Bethell could make a significant impact if he replaces Ollie Pope, offering both with the bat and ball.
• Josh Tongue and Jofra Archer are expected to spearhead the pace attack, with Gus Atkinson providing depth.

Predicted Lineups

Australia:

• Travis Head
• Jake Weatherald
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Steve Smith (Captain)
• Usman Khawaja
• Alex Carey
• Beau Webster
• Mitchell Starc
• Michael Neser
• Scott Boland
• Todd Murphy

England:

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

How to Watch

• Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne, Australia
• Date & Time: December 25, 2025 | 11:30 PM GMT
• Live Broadcast: TNT Sports 1 (UK & Ireland), Sky Sports Cricket (Australia), and live streaming available on the official ECB and Cricket Australia websites.

Final Thoughts

This Boxing Day Test is more than just a Test match—it's a battle of pride, tradition, and the deep-rooted rivalry between two cricketing giants. With the MCG setting the perfect backdrop for a festive occasion, fans can expect an enthralling contest filled with high drama, tactical battles, and standout individual performances.

Australia will be favorites given their home advantage and historical dominance, but England have the talent and determination to spring a surprise. It's a match that promises everything a cricket fan could want.
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