Fourth Test: Melbourne

This fourth Ashes Test takes place at the brilliant Melbourne Cricket Ground between 26th-30th December 2010. The Boxing Day Test Match at the MCG has become iconic in itself and an Ashes Test makes it that much more exciting with both teams desperate to claim the win.

The MCG is the biggest Cricket Ground in the world with a total capacity of 100,000, there is no finer sight in world cricket than a full MCG with the sun blazing down on Boxing Day. It could well be a crucial Test match for both teams with only one Test Match left to go after this one, the Aussies will be the favourites though as they look to impress in front of their home fans.

The last time the two teams met in a test match at the MCG was of course in 2006 when the Aussies were the emphatic winners, they won the match by an innings and 99 runs and they will be eager for a repeat this year. England collapsed twice in that test match and Andrew Strauss will be keen for his team to improve this time around, that could well be the key for England here as they face a hostile home attack.

4th Test team news

With the series level at 1 – 1 the Melbourne test becomes twice as important as any others in the series as both teams look to go ahead in the series with 1 test to play. Australia dominated in Perth and England will need to fight back here. If England win they will retain the Ashes as only a draw in the series is required because they already hold the Ashes.

Despite the massive margin of loss in Perth England have decided against wholesale changes with just Tim Bresnan replacing Steven Finn as England felt a pitch up bowler was a better asset on this wicket.

Australia remained unchanged a go into the test without a front line spinner. There were rumours about Michael Beer being selected instead of Peter Siddle but Siddle retains his place in the side.

England: Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Matt Prior (wicketkeeper), Tim Bresnan, Chris Tremlett, Graeme Swann, James Anderson.

Australia: Philip Hughes, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Steven Smith North, Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper),  Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Ryan Harris.

4th Test catch up

Should you miss any of the action or want to read a daily update from the fourth test in Melbourne you will be able to do so below. At the end of each days play a summary of the action will be documented for you to read.

4th Ashes Test | Melbourne – Day 1 Report >>
4th Ashes Test | Melbourne – Day 2 Report >>
4th Ashes Test | Melbourne – Day 3 Report >>
4th Ashes Test | Melbourne – Day 4 Report >>
No play on 5th Day of 4th Ashes Test in Melbourne

4th Test Result

England went into the 4th Ashes test on the back of a heavy defeat in Perth in the third Ashes test and needed to bounce back in order to swing the momentum back in their favour in order to retain the Ashes for the first time down under for 25 years.

From the moment they stepped foot on the Melbourne pitch on Boxing day they did not put a single foot wrong. They throughly outplayed the Australian’s in every department and put a huge gulf in class between themselves and the Australian’s.

Making the most of helpful conditions on day one to bowl Australia out for just 98 then finding themselves 59 runs ahead at the close of play on day 1 set the test up magnificently. England did not look back from then on as they them put up a huge total of 513.

The pressure of the chase and the quality of the England bowlers shone through again as they bowled Australia out for 258 to win by an innings and 157 runs. There were several key points throughout the test match including Ricky Ponting’s argument with the umpire landing him with a fine of 40% of his match fee and Jonathan Trott’s superb 168 not out to setup the victory.