### England Opts to Field First in Crucial Fourth Ashes Test Against Australia - In a pivotal moment for the ongoing Ashes series, England won the toss and chose to field first in the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 26, 2025. This decision comes as Australia leads the five-match series 3-0, having secured victories in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide. Notably, Australia has included fast bowler Jhye Richardson in their lineup, marking his first Test appearance since 2021 after recovering from shoulder surgery [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/england-win-toss-elect-field-in-fourth-ashes-test-5709321][https://thenightly.com.au/sport/cricket/the-ashes-west-australian-pace-ace-jhye-richardson-to-return-to-australian-team-in-boxing-day-test-at-mcg-c-21120818]. ### Breakdown of the Fourth Ashes Test Scenario 1. **Toss Outcome**: England won the toss and elected to field first. 2. **Series Context**: Australia leads the series 3-0, having already retained the Ashes. 3. **Team Changes**: Australia has named Jhye Richardson in their XI, returning after a four-year absence from Test cricket. 4. **Pitch Conditions**: The MCG pitch is described as "quite green," favoring pace bowlers, which influenced Australia's decision to field an all-pace attack [https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/ashes-australia-announce-xi-for-mcg-test/story][https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/sports/cricket/news/steve-smith-returns-to-lead-australia-in-boxing-day-test-josh-inglis-out-australia-all-pace-bowling-attack-in-melbourne-136766400.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Toss and Team Selection**: - England's decision to field first is strategic, aiming to exploit early conditions. - Australia’s lineup includes four pace bowlers, with Richardson's return being a highlight. - **Pitch Report**: - The MCG pitch is noted for its green surface, which is expected to assist fast bowlers, making the all-pace attack a calculated choice by Australia [https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/australia-finalise-playing-xi-for-boxing-day-test-at-mcg][https://english.mathrubhumi.com/sports/cricket/ashes-boxing-day-test-probable-xi-pitch-report-weather-forecast-when-and-where-to-watch-match-preview-qak2h4cp]. ### Summary of the Fourth Ashes Test Developments 1. **England's Toss Win**: England's choice to field first could be a game-changer, especially with Australia’s strong lead in the series. 2. **Australia's Strategy**: The inclusion of Jhye Richardson and an all-pace attack reflects Australia's confidence in their bowling lineup, tailored to the MCG conditions. 3. **Match Context**: With Australia already having retained the Ashes, this Test serves as a critical opportunity for England to salvage pride in the series. In conclusion, the fourth Ashes Test is set against a backdrop of high stakes, with England looking to turn the tide after a challenging series, while Australia aims to maintain their dominance with a strategic team selection and favorable pitch conditions [https://www.nine.com.au/sport/cricket/the-ashes-boxing-day-test-2025-live-scores-australia-england-day-one-highlights-results-latest-updates-20251226-p5nq3z.html][https://www.republicworld.com/cricket/ashes-jhye-richardson-eyes-return-to-australia-s-squad-for-boxing-day-test-against-england].