Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey

It’s that time of year again… it’s the Boxing Day Test.

Yes, the Boxing Day Test is great, but there is a bit of an empty feeling for me. This Ashes series had the potential to be the best since 2009, or even 2005, especially looking at the first three days of the first Test in Brisbane which were so closely fought. Since then, Australia, particularly Steven Smith, have gone on a rampage, blowing England off the park and driving a few of their players towards “the Test career cliff.” It has sadly been a one-sided Ashes series to date.

The big change, which will surely be of relief to England, is Mitchell Starc missing the Test due to a heel injury, which I hope isn’t indeed a stress fracture. With no disrespect to Jackson Bird, this reduce’s Australia’s threat significantly, and represents an opportunity for England’s batsmen, especially Cook and Root, to get in the runs. Australia’s batsmen though (even Steve Smith with a slight hand injury) will likely fill their boots on what is expected to be another flat Melbourne pitch against an attack that lacks bite in conditions outside of England.

For England, a loss in Melbourne would break their record for most consecutive Test losses in Australia. Currently, they have lost eight straight, and the last time they’ve endured a run this bad was way back in 1920-25. Who would have possibly predicted this after England beat Australia 3-0 in England in 2013, and 3-1 in Australia in 2010/11?

However, this may very well be a tour that England look back on and say it was one they needed. Their mindset for a long time has been around “economical” and “dry” bowling, focused on maintaining the run rate, rather than looking to actively take wickets. In what they should have known before this series, they now have surely realised. Medium-paced bowling that doesn’t move off the straight simply doesn’t work in Australia – it’s time for pace in the future.

Key to an Australia win

Nathan Lyon will also have a role to play on a Melbourne pitch that may offer him turn early in the Test. The best off-spinner in the world, Lyon will continue to prey on England’s vulnerabilities with great accuracy and turn.

How will Jackson Bird & Australia go in the absence of Mitchell Starc?

Key to an England win

The bowlers need to step up to support their batsmen.

England, in the last 12 months, have lost by an innings three times after scoring 400+ in the first innings. That’s all the proof you need to say that England’s bowlers are not pulling their weight.

Is Stuart Broad in his final Tests? How much longer does James Anderson have? Do you pick Mason Crane or Tom Curran?

Stuart Broad should be dropped, in my opinion. Five wickets at 61.80 is an awful return in such a big series, and just confirms that he struggles in unfamiliar conditions. This is nothing new. Knowing England, though, they’ll go with Broad, Curran and Anderson, even though it would not be a bad idea to give Crane a go to throw something different at the Aussies, seeing how Moeen Ali is struggling big time. No offence to Mitchell Marsh, but if he’s scoring 181 against your attack, something is very wrong…

It has been a shocking series for Stuart Broad

For England to succeed in this Test, their mentality needs to be transferred from negative to positive, and need a Christmas gift delivered by their big stars…

… Including Alastair Cook and Joe Root. However, it’s a double-edged sword because if they do score runs, they’ll cop criticism for leaving it when the series is over to score big. Doesn’t matter, though – they have an unwanted record to avoid in Australia, and simply need to show pride in the England badge and give their fans something to cheer about.

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