Cricket

Australia bat first on Boxing Day, Richardson named

Dec 26, 2025

Jye Richardson — Jhye Richardson (pic) returns to the team with Brendan Doggett missing out at the MCG. -AAP Image

Australia will bat first in the Boxing Day Test, picking Jhye Richardson over Brendan Doggett for the last pace spot.

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With up to 10mm grass on the MCG pitch and conditions expected to suit bowlers, England captain Ben Stokes elected to bowl first after winning the toss.

"Nice coverage of grass," Stokes said.

"Now it's about executing the plans."

Fit-again Richardson will play his first Test in more than four years as Australia declined to pick a frontline spinner in a MCG rarity.

Richardson will join the recalled Michael Neser, along with star left-armer Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in the four-man pace attack.

Doggett played the first two Tests of the series, before making way in Adelaide.

It will be the first red-ball Test of Neser's career, with all three of his other appearances coming in day-night matches.

With pace-friendly conditions expected for the duration of the match, Australia have boldly chosen to go without a frontline spinner in a home red-ball Test for the first time in almost 14 years.

Stand-in captain Steve Smith, returning from vertigo symptoms and replacing Pat Cummins as skipper, insisted they would have considered leaving Nathan Lyon out if he had been fit.

After being called into the squad to replace the injured Lyon, Victorian offspinner Todd Murphy was surprisingly left out of Australia's 12-man squad that Smith announced on Christmas Day.

"It does look like it could do a bit," Smith said of the pitch.

"Batters are going to have to be on their game, put pressure on when we need to and hopefully we can start well here this morning."

After retaining the Ashes in only 11 days, Australia will look to continue England's tour of misery by completing a 5-0 whitewash for the first time since 2013-14.

Jofra Archer, a rare highlight for England during this series, will miss the Melbourne and Sydney Tests with a side strain.

Out-of-form England No.3 Ollie Pope has been dropped, replaced by promising youngster Jacob Bethell.

England are reeling following confirmation their drinking habits during a trip to Noosa after the Brisbane Test would be investigated.

AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (capt), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Scott Boland.

ENGLAND: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue.