Ashes 2021-22: England, Australia reveal playing XIs for Boxing Day Test

England have made four changes to their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, starting from December 26. Jonny Bairstow, Zak Crawley, Mark Wood, and Jack Leach are back in the team while, Rory Burns, Ollie Pope, Stuart Broad, and Chris Woakes have been left squad. The Joe Root-led side have lost both games of the series.

Burns and Pope have not looked convincing in both Tests. The former has scored just 51 runs, while Pope only has 48 runs to his name. Meanwhile, pace bowlers Broad and Woakes have looked least threatening.  

The Boxing Day Test match at MCG is a must-win game for the visitors. Naturally, England have ringed in the changes with hopes of making a comeback into the series. The batting has looked a bit dismal, with only skipper Root and Dawid Malan managing to score some runs.  

With Crawley and Bairstow back in the team, the visitors would be hoping to put up fighting totals. Meanwhile, Wood and Leach will add variety in the England's bowling attack.

Meanwhile, Australia too have revealed their playing XI for the Test. Skipper Pat Cummins is back in the team in place of Jhye Richardson, while Scott Boland will make his debut, replacing Michael Neser.

England: Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wk), Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson

Australia: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney, editing by Robert Birsel)