Australia and England are contesting the fourth Test of the five-match Ashes 2025 series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the traditional Boxing Day Test underway. England won the toss and chose to field on an overcast morning in Melbourne.
Australia finalised their playing XI with a notable change, bringing fast bowler Jhye Richardson back into the Test side for the first time in more than four years. With Australia already holding an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, the match has seen significant team changes, injury absences, and a closely fought opening day highlighted by low scores from both sides.
Key Takeaways: Jhye Richardson Comeback and Boxing Day Test
- Jhye Richardson makes his first Test appearance since 2021
- England win the toss and elect to field at the MCG
- Australia play without Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon due to injury
- Steve Smith leads Australia in the Boxing Day Test
- Australia and England are playing the fourth Test of Ashes 2025
Australia Finalise XI for Boxing Day Test
Australia confirmed their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the fourth match of the Ashes 2025 series began on December 26. The most significant selection decision was the inclusion of fast bowler Jhye Richardson, who returned to the Test side after more than four years.
Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc spearheaded the fast bowling attack in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins. Richardson was joined in the pace group by Scott Boland and Michael Neser, with Cameron Green also contributing as a bowling option. Australia entered the match without a specialist spinner, as Nathan Lyon continued to recover from a hamstring injury sustained during the Adelaide Test.
Context of the Ashes 2025 Series
The Boxing Day Test forms part of the five-match Ashes 2025 series between Australia and England. Australia had already secured an unassailable 3-0 lead after victories in the first three Tests. The opening Test at Perth Stadium was won by Australia by eight wickets, followed by another eight-wicket victory at the Gabba. The third Test at the Adelaide Oval ended in an 82-run win for Australia.
The Melbourne Test is the fourth fixture of the series, with the final Test scheduled to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 4 to January 8.
Jhye Richardson’s Return After Long Absence
Jhye Richardson’s inclusion marked a major moment in the Boxing Day Test. The fast bowler last played a Test match in 2021 and had also been absent from international cricket for extended periods due to injuries. His most recent appearances in One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals came in 2022.
Richardson has played only three Test matches in his career so far, taking 11 wickets at an average of 22.09 with an economy rate of 2.72. His best bowling figures in a Test innings remain five wickets for 42 runs. In limited-overs cricket, he has taken 27 wickets in 15 ODIs and 19 wickets in 18 T20 Internationals.
Australia’s team management opted to give Richardson an opportunity after the side secured a decisive series lead, allowing them to experiment with the bowling combination.
Captaincy and Team Changes
With Pat Cummins unavailable due to injury, Steve Smith returned as captain for the Melbourne Test. Smith had missed the third Test but resumed leadership duties for the Boxing Day fixture. Australia’s final XI featured Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey as wicketkeeper, Cameron Green, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, and Scott Boland.
England, meanwhile, announced their playing XI earlier in the week. Jacob Bethell and Gus Atkinson were brought into the side in place of Ollie Pope and Jofra Archer.
Toss and Conditions at the MCG
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to field first on an overcast and cool morning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The decision was made with the expectation of early assistance for fast bowlers, as conditions were favorable for seam movement. A crowd of more than 90,000 spectators was expected to attend the traditional Boxing Day Test.
Australia’s First Innings
Australia were sent in to bat and struggled against England’s bowling attack. The home side were bowled out for 152 runs in 45.2 overs. Michael Neser was the top scorer with 35 runs, while Travis Head scored 12, Jake Weatherald made 10, and Marnus Labuschagne managed six. Captain Steve Smith scored nine runs.
Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey attempted to steady the innings, contributing 29 and 20 runs respectively. The highest partnership of the innings came for the seventh wicket, with Cameron Green and Neser adding 52 runs. Green was dismissed for 17, while Neser’s 35 came off 49 balls and included seven boundaries. Mitchell Starc scored one run, and Scott Boland was dismissed without scoring.
For England, Josh Tongue claimed five wickets, Gus Atkinson took two, and Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes picked up one wicket each.
England’s First Innings Collapse
In reply to Australia’s total, England’s first innings also faltered. Chasing 152, England were bowled out for 110 runs. The innings began poorly, with England losing four wickets for just 16 runs. Zak Crawley scored five, Ben Duckett made two, Jacob Bethell scored one, and Joe Root was dismissed without scoring.
Mitchell Starc dismissed Crawley and Duckett, while Michael Neser removed Bethell and Root. Harry Brook and Ben Stokes then added a 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Brook scored 41 runs from 34 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes, before being dismissed. Stokes contributed 16 runs.
Jamie Smith scored two, Will Jacks made five, and Gus Atkinson added 28 runs. Brydon Carse scored four, and Josh Tongue made one. Eight England batters failed to reach double figures.
Michael Neser was the standout bowler for Australia with four wickets, Scott Boland took three, Mitchell Starc claimed two, and Cameron Green took one.
Match Situation After First Innings
After England were dismissed for 110, Australia held a 42-run lead going into their second innings. The fourth Test remains in progress at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as part of the Ashes 2025 series.
Editorial Perspective: A Boxing Day Test Defined by Change
The Boxing Day Test at the MCG has reflected both tradition and transition. With Australia already securing the series, team changes, injury absences, and Jhye Richardson’s return have shaped the narrative of the match. Low scores from both sides on the opening day underlined the challenging conditions, while the absence of a specialist spinner for Australia highlighted a strategic gamble. As the Test progresses, the focus remains on how Australia consolidate their advantage and how England respond in a series that has already been decided.
Purpose of Human Life Beyond Wins and Losses
Sporting contests such as the Boxing Day Test reflect the natural rhythm of victory and defeat, yet human life extends beyond results on a scoreboard. Physical fitness is important, but mental peace is equally essential. Many people, even with wealth and comfort, experience an inner emptiness because the deeper purpose of life remains unaddressed. Spiritual understanding highlights that the true aim of human life is True Worship, leading to liberation and lasting peace.
Without Tatvgyan (true spiritual knowledge), individuals often continue to search for meaning despite material success. Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains, with scriptural clarity, that understanding life’s purpose prepares a person for the certainty of death and brings balance, clarity, and inner stability in an uncertain world.
FAQs on Jhye Richardson Comeback and Boxing Day Test
Q1. Why did Jhye Richardson return in the Boxing Day Test?
Australia selected Jhye Richardson after securing a 3-0 series lead, giving him his first Test opportunity since 2021.
Q2. Why was Nathan Lyon not included in the Test?
Nathan Lyon missed the match due to a hamstring injury sustained during the Adelaide Test.
Q3. Who captained Australia in the Boxing Day Test?
Steve Smith captained Australia in the absence of injured regular skipper Pat Cummins.
Q4. What was Australia’s first innings total?
Australia were bowled out for 152 runs in their first innings.
Q5. What lead did Australia take after England’s first innings?
Australia secured a 42-run lead after England were dismissed for 110 runs.
