Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
Ashes 2021/22 3rd Test: AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AUS vs ENG 3rd Test Dream11 Prediction | Australia vs England 3rd Test Key Players | MCG Pitch Report
Another game, another England defeat down under. As was the case both in 2013 and 2017, the tourists find themselves in a position where they must win all three remaining Tests to retain the urn. On both occasions, they failed to win a single Test – an overall drought that goes back to 2011, spanning 12 Tests.
No side has ever come back from 2-0 down to win an away Ashes series, and there are no signs here pointing to a miracle turnaround. As Ollie Robinson turned his arm over with off-spin on the fourth afternoon at Adelaide, further flashbacks of England’s struggles in Australia came front of mind.
In an attempt to stem the flow, England have made key changes. Rory Burns has been dropped, replaced by Zak Crawley who himself has had a nightmare year with an average of just 11.14 in seven Tests. However, if he is decisive on off-stump, he has what it takes to succeed against bounce owing to his height and attractive strokeplay.
Like a yo-yo, Jack Leach is back in the side, as is Mark Wood as England focus on variety in their attack. Ollie Pope, who many believe has the game to succeed at Test level, has been dropped in favour of Jonny Bairstow. These changes represent one final throw at the stumps for England in their attempt to break their winless run down under and keep the Ashes alive.
For Australia, this series couldn’t go much more smoothly, even with some off-field distractions. Pat Cummins is back to partner Mitchell Starc who had a superb Adelaide Test, while Scott Boland is pencilled in to make his debut. The bowling form of Nathan Lyon and Cameron Green gives the Aussies important depth, and they will be looking to keep their foot on England’s throats in one of the showpiece events on the Australian sporting calendar.
From a batting perspective, Marnus Labuschagne has moved to number one in the rankings, representing a remarkable rise since coming into the side as a concussion substitute for Steve Smith at Lord’s. More long hours in the field for England would be too hard to come back from, and that will be Australia’s focus here as they look to retain the Ashes for a third-straight time.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Australia:
- Marnus Labuschagne has had a bit of luck, but his overall concentration is to be admired. He has made three 50+ scores in as many innings this series, including a century (74, 103 and 51).
- Steve Smith dominates at the MCG. Australia’s premier batsmen has struck 916 runs in just eight Tests on this ground at an average of 91.60, with three half-centuries and four centuries.
- Smith returned to form with 93 in the Adelaide Test, and he will be aiming to build on that in this Boxing Day Test.
- David Warner’s excellent run of form continued in Adelaide. He missed out again on a century (two 90s in a row in the series), but he is playing beautifully and averages 45.00 in eight Tests at the MCG (630 runs).
- Watch out for Travis Head if the top order sets a strong platform. He scored a century on this ground two years ago against New Zealand, and has a century and half-century in this series so far.
- Pat Cummins returns to the team after missing the Adelaide Test. He has a terrific record on this ground with 21 wickets in four Tests at an average of 18.71 and economy rate of 2.78.
- Mitchell Starc produced some of his best bowling in a long time at Adelaide (4/37 and 2/43). However, the MCG isn’t his favourite ground, with an average of 34.31 in four Tests. Also, the cool weather forecast in Melbourne may not aid swing too much. Can he overcome these factors?
- Scott Boland will make his debut on his home ground. He was player of the match against New South Wales on this ground earlier this season, taking 3/33 and 5/56. Overall, he has taken 96 wickets at 25.56 in 27 First Class games at the MCG.
England:
- Yet another fifty for Joe Root, but no century. The England skipper has struck seven half-centuries in his last seven Tests in Australia, but the tourists need this to be the match where he carries on to make a ton.
- Root has scored 100 runs in three innings on this ground, including a score of 61. He has been brilliant in 2021, notching up 1,630 runs at an average of 62.69.
- Dawid Malan is England’s leading run-scorer in this series (188 runs, avg. 47.00). Malan has five half-centuries and a century in seven Tests against Australia (overall average of 43.92).
- England need Ben Stokes to fire. He produced some excellent deliveries in Adelaide, and if he can keep the ball fuller in Melbourne, he could be in the wickets. Also, he spent some time at the crease last game, which he must build on here.
- James Anderson has a good record at the MCG. The seamer has taken 13 wickets in three Tests at an average of 24.23. There is likely to be grass on the pitch, so Anderson can be a factor.
- As can Ollie Robinson. He is England’s leading wicket-taker so far in this series with seven wickets at an average of 24.28.
Stats and Facts
- Alex Carey has 10 dismissals to his name so far in this series.
- Cameron Green has dismissed England captain Joe Root twice in two Tests. Watch out for their battle once again.
- The last time these two teams met at the MCG was a drab draw in 2017.
Possible Playing 11
Australia have confirmed their XI, with Scott Boland to debut. Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser miss out due to soreness. Also, Marcus Harris has kept his place.
Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Marcus Harris, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Cameron Green, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Scott Boland
England have also confirmed their XI, with four changes.
England: 1. Zak Crawley, 2. Haseeb Hameed, 3. Dawid Malan, 4. Joe Root (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jonny Bairstow, 7. Jos Buttler (wk), 8. Ollie Robinson, 9. Mark Wood, 10. Jack Leach, 11. James Anderson
MCG Pitch Report and Weather
The 2017/18 Boxing Day Test was a forgettable one, with just 24 wickets falling on a very flat MCG surface. Since then, the groundstaff have worked very hard to produce good surfaces, with a lively surface expected for this clash.
“The last few years have been different to what it was before that,” said Scott Boland during the Sheffield Shield match vs NSW earlier this year. “There’s a bit more grass on it now, much better carry, especially for day two. Sometimes you rock up here and it looks like a one-day wicket.”
Sunny conditions are forecast right throughout the Test, but with mild temperatures. The temperatures will barely exceed 20 degrees celsius on day one.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction
Base Team:
- Wicket-keepers: Alex Carey
- Batsmen: Steve Smith, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne
- All-rounders: Joe Root
- Bowlers: Pat Cummins
Match Prediction
Australia should be too strong once again, particularly if they get runs on the board batting first.