England has revealed their playing XI for the upcoming fourth Ashes Test against Australia, with two alterations from the previous game in Adelaide. Jofra Archer will be absent for the remainder of the series due to a side strain, while Ollie Pope will also miss the upcoming match. Left-handed all-rounder Jacob Bethell joins the team and is positioned at No.3, and fast bowler Atkinson returns after sitting out the last match.
The fourth Ashes Test is scheduled to commence on December 26, Boxing Day, at the renowned Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The England team has made changes to the XI that featured in the third Test in Adelaide. Jofra Archer’s absence due to a left side strain and Ollie Pope’s exclusion have necessitated adjustments. Jacob Bethell from Warwickshire will bat at number three, and Surrey’s Gus Atkinson is back after missing the previous Test, as confirmed by the ECB in a statement.
England has already lost the series, with Australia securing victory in the first three matches and establishing an insurmountable 3-0 lead. Despite a defeat in the series opener in Perth, England displayed a competitive spirit in the third Test at the Adelaide Oval, extending the match to the fifth day. The visitors’ XI for the MCG Test includes Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Ben Stokes as captain, and others, as they aim to salvage pride in the remaining games.
