The Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground presents unique challenges for fantasy cricket strategists.
Australia has already secured the Ashes urn with three consecutive victories, shifting the focus from the series outcome to individual match dynamics.
England faces elimination from winning positions. Their last MCG Test victory came in 2010, creating a 15-year drought at this venue.
The selection changes on both sides add complexity to team-building decisions.
Australia rests Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, bringing in Jhye Richardson and Todd Murphy. Steve Smith takes over captaincy duties.
These rotations impact bowling balance and create uncertainty around wicket-taking roles.
England maintains squad stability but carries psychological weight from three defeats.
Their batting lineup shows inconsistency, while Australia’s top order dominates with Travis Head and Steve Smith in exceptional form.
Fantasy players must analyze workload management, pitch evolution across five days, and how fresh replacements perform under pressure.
The MCG’s batting-friendly surface typically favors run-scorers in early innings, but deteriorates for spinners later.
This match requires careful captain selection between proven performers and potential value picks.
Squad rotation creates opportunities for differential choices that could separate successful fantasy teams from ordinary ones.
AUS vs ENG 4th Test Ashes Dream11 Prediction

AUS vs ENG 4th Test Ashes Match Preview
Australia approaches this contest with series pressure removed. Their focus shifts to testing bench strength and managing player workloads before future assignments. The absence of two frontline bowlers changes their tactical approach.
England needs a victory to avoid a whitewash scenario. Ben Stokes must inspire a demoralized batting group that struggled against pace and spin throughout the series. Their bowling attack shows promise but lacks consistent support from batters.
The five-day format at MCG historically produces results. Only 7 of 53 Ashes Tests here ended in draws. This stat suggests fantasy players should prepare for fluctuating match situations rather than stalemates.
Australia’s home dominance at MCG is notable. They haven’t lost a Boxing Day Test since 2010 and won their last three MCG matches against England. This venue familiarity gives them tactical advantages in pitch reading and field placement.
Weather conditions remain stable with minimal rain expected. This allows both teams to plan strategies without interruption concerns. The consistent bounce helps pace bowlers maintain line and length.
AUS vs ENG 4th Test Ashes Dream11 Prediction
| Match | Australia vs England 4th Test |
| Date | 26 December 2025 |
| Time | 5:00 AM IST |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Tournament | The Ashes |
Pitch Report
The AUS vs ENG 4th Test Dream11 Prediction Pitch Report indicates a traditional MCG surface.
The pitch offers even bounce early, favoring batters who settle in. First innings scores average 307 runs, providing substantial opportunities for top-order accumulation.
Second innings conditions remain similar, with average scores of 314. This consistency suggests pitch doesn’t deteriorate rapidly like typical subcontinental surfaces. Batters maintain value across all innings for fantasy selection.
Third and fourth innings see declining averages at 251 and 171, respectively. This drop reflects match fatigue and bowling accuracy improvements rather than pitch breakdown. Spinners gain slight assistance as footmarks develop.
The hard surface suits fast bowlers who extract bounce. Seam movement reduces after the first session, making new ball spells crucial for wicket-taking fantasy assets. Reverse swing becomes a factor in later stages.
Fantasy strategy should prioritize batters for the initial days. Bowlers gain importance as the pitch wears and batting becomes challenging. Balance your team composition to reflect this progression.
Weather Report
The temperature ranges between 25-26°C throughout the match. These mild conditions suit extended batting sessions without heat-induced fatigue. Bowlers can maintain longer spells with proper rotation.
Humidity levels stay between 60-90%, fairly high for Australian standards. This atmospheric moisture assists swing bowling during morning sessions. Fast bowlers targeting early wickets benefit from these conditions.
Wind speeds of 10-20 km/h remain moderate. Crosswinds at MCG can affect bowling lines, particularly for spinners. Batters adjust more easily than bowlers to these conditions.
Rain probability sits at 30%, suggesting minimal interruption risk. Fantasy players need not worry about reduced-overs scenarios. Full match quotas allow proper assessment of player contributions.
Early morning dew and evening moisture create two distinct sessions. Opening bowlers and death-overs specialists gain fantasy relevance during these periods. Plan your team considering these session-specific advantages.
Toss Prediction
MCG statistics show teams batting first win 49% of Tests compared to 36% for teams chasing. This 13% difference influences toss decisions significantly. Captains prefer setting targets at this venue.
The average first innings score of 307 provides psychological comfort for batting first. Teams establish match control through substantial totals. Second innings pressure increases when chasing 400+ targets.
Historical data shows toss winners capture 45% of matches. This marginal advantage matters in tight contests. Fantasy players should prepare multiple team combinations based on toss outcomes.
Batting first allows teams to assess pitch behavior before opponents. This information advantage helps second innings planning. Fantasy captaincy choices may shift based on which team bats first.
The batting-friendly nature encourages aggressive starts. Teams winning the toss likely choose batting, making top-order batters safer fantasy picks regardless of toss outcome.
Injury Updates
Pat Cummins takes scheduled rest after leading Australia through the series. His absence removes the primary pace bowler and leadership figure. Mitchell Starc becomes the attack leader with Jhye Richardson as the replacement seamer.
Nathan Lyon’s hamstring injury forces him out. Todd Murphy comes in as the specialist spinner. This change affects bowling combinations and overs distribution. Murphy’s fantasy value remains uncertain without recent Test exposure.
Steve Smith’s captaincy return adds responsibility that may affect his batting approach. However, his MCG record includes four Test centuries, suggesting comfort at this venue despite leadership duties.
England reports no fresh injuries. Their consistent lineup allows settled batting partnerships to develop. However, three consecutive defeats impact confidence levels regardless of physical fitness.
AUS vs ENG Probable XI For The 4th Test
The AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction 4th Test Playing XI shows tactical variations from both teams.
- Australia Probable XI: Steve Smith (c), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Scott Boland, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser
- England Probable XI: Ben Stokes (c), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir
Australia fields six specialist batters with Cameron Green as an all-rounder support. Their four-pronged pace attack includes Starc, Richardson, Boland, and Neser. Murphy provides spin options as conditions deteriorate.
England maintains a similar balance with six batters plus Stokes. Their pace trio of Atkinson, Carse, and Archer offers variety. Bashir handles spin duties as the lone specialist.
Both teams prioritize batting depth over bowling variety. This approach reflects MCG’s run-scoring reputation. Fantasy teams should allocate more slots to batters than in typical Test matches.
Dream11 Team For AUS vs ENG 4th Test
Building the AUS vs ENG Dream11 Team, 4th Ashes Vision11 requires analyzing multiple factors. The captain’s choice determines 2x points while the vice-captain secures a 1.5x multiplier.
Travis Head emerges as prime captaincy material. His 379 series runs include two centuries. The MCG hosted his century against England in 2021, proving venue comfort. An aggressive batting style accumulates rapid fantasy points.
Steve Smith offers safer captaincy alternatives. Despite modest series returns of 103 runs, his MCG record includes four Test hundreds. Leadership responsibility may increase his determination to contribute significantly.
Mitchell Starc’s 22 series wickets make him bowling captain material. His new ball expertise at MCG suits fantasy formats. However, workload management as a primary seamer creates risk.
Joe Root leads England’s batting with 219 series runs. His 2,589 Ashes career runs and MCG century in 2017 demonstrate class. Consistency makes him a reliable vice-captain choice.
The AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI & Pitch Report suggests selecting 6 batters, 1 all-rounder, and 4 bowlers. This combination exploits MCG’s batting conditions while maintaining bowling coverage.
Risk-takers may choose Travis Head as captain with Mitchell Starc as vice-captain. Conservative players prefer Steve Smith as captain with Joe Root as vice-captain. Balance your strategy with personal risk tolerance.
AUS vs ENG Head-to-Head At MCG
The MCG hosts 53 Ashes Tests with clear historical patterns. Australia won 27 matches compared to England’s 19 victories. Seven draws show that results typically emerge at this venue.
Australia’s Boxing Day record remains perfect since 2010. They won their last three MCG Tests against England, establishing psychological dominance. England’s drought extends 15 years at this specific ground.
Recent MCG contests favor high-scoring matches. Both teams reach substantial totals before results crystallize. Fantasy players benefit from extended batting opportunities across multiple days.
The venue’s large boundaries and true bounce suit classical batting techniques. Stroke-makers accumulate boundaries without excessive risk. This dynamic benefits fantasy selections prioritizing consistent run-scorers.
Historical data suggests Australia’s home comfort translates to performance advantages. However, England’s desperation creates unpredictable scenarios where underdogs perform beyond expectations.
Last 5 Tests Australia vs England
- 4 Dec 2025: Australia beat England by 8 wickets — Adelaide Oval
- 21 Nov 2025: Australia beat England by 8 wickets — Perth Stadium
- 17 Dec 2025: Australia beat England by 82 runs — The Gabba, Brisbane
- 27 Jul 2023: England beat Australia by 49 runs — Old Trafford, Manchester
- 19 Jul 2023: England drew with Australia — Lord’s, London
Australia’s recent dominance shows consistent winning margins. Three consecutive 8-wicket victories demonstrate batting depth and bowling effectiveness. England’s struggles continue across different venues.
The pattern indicates Australia’s pace attack dismantles England’s batting lineup repeatedly. Fantasy selections should favor Australian bowlers for wicket-taking potential.
England’s only recent victory came in Manchester in 2023. Their home conditions provide temporary relief, but away performances decline significantly. This trend impacts confidence entering the MCG contest.
Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Reason |
|---|---|
| Travis Head | 379 runs this series with 2 centuries; MCG century vs England (2021); aggressive style suits fantasy scoring |
| Steve Smith | 3,520 Ashes runs, 12 centuries; 4 Test hundreds at MCG; captaincy responsibility increases involvement |
| Mitchell Starc | 22 wickets this series; 115+ Ashes wickets; new ball effectiveness at MCG creates fantasy value |
| Joe Root | 219 runs this series (England’s top); 2,589 Ashes runs; MCG century (2017) shows venue comfort |
| Ben Stokes | 165 runs + 9 wickets this series; all-round contributions double fantasy scoring opportunities |
| Marnus Labuschagne | Consistent run-scorer at number 3; MCG familiarity as a home player; anchors innings effectively |
| Jofra Archer | Pace and bounce combination suits MCG; wicket-taking ability creates fantasy spikes |
AUS vs ENG Match Prediction: Who Will Win the 4th Test?
The AUS vs ENG Match Prediction Who Will Win the 4th Test? depends on several dynamic factors.
Australia’s squad rotation introduces uncertainty around bowling combinations. Richardson and Murphy lack recent match practice at this level.
England’s psychological state matters significantly. Three defeats create mental barriers that talented players struggle to overcome. However, desperation sometimes produces unexpected performances.
Pitch conditions favor batting early. Whichever team capitalizes on first-innings opportunities gains control. Second innings pressure increases when chasing substantial targets at MCG.
Australia’s batting depth provides security. Even without Cummins and Lyon, their lineup outperforms England’s unstable order. Consistency across positions creates multiple fantasy scoring sources.
Weather stability removes interruption variables. Full five days allow natural match progression without shortened scenarios. This timeline benefits stronger teams, maintaining pressure.
The question Who Will Win 4th Test Match on 26th December 2025? lacks definitive answers before toss. Conditions-based analysis suggests that batting first creates a winning probability regardless of team strength.
Conclusion:
The AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction 4th Test Ashes 2025-26 requires balancing multiple strategic elements.
Squad rotations create opportunities for differential picks while introducing performance uncertainty.
Fantasy success depends on identifying which replacements exceed expectations.
MCG’s batting-friendly conditions justify top-order heavy team compositions.
However, pitch deterioration in later innings means bowlers gain relevance as matches progress.
Timing these selections separates winning fantasy teams from average ones.
Captain’s choices carry enormous weight in close contests. Travis Head’s aggressive approach offers a high ceiling but a variable floor.
Steve Smith provides safer returns with a consistent performance history. Your risk tolerance determines optimal selection.
England’s desperation creates both opportunity and risk. Players performing under pressure deliver fantasy value, but team collapses waste roster spots.
Balance your England selections carefully against Australian dominance.
Weather stability and minimal rain ensure full match quotas. This certainty allows strategic planning without contingency requirements.
Focus analysis on player form, venue history, and role clarity rather than external interruptions.
The Boxing Day Test traditionally produces entertaining cricket with fantasy-friendly scoring patterns.
Leverage available data while remaining flexible to in-match developments that shift momentum unexpectedly.