Steve Smith has been officially cleared to return as Australia’s captain for the Boxing Day Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, marking his comeback after recovering fully from an inner-ear issue that ruled him out of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide.
Smith admitted he was disappointed to miss the Adelaide Test, especially after seeing how batter-friendly the surface turned out to be.
The former skipper revealed that he endured a few difficult days before the match as his vestibular symptoms persisted, making it the right call to sit out.
Watching the game from his hotel room only added to his frustration, but Smith acknowledged that prioritising his health was necessary.
Despite his absence, Smith was pleased to see Usman Khawaja step up and deliver crucial contributions, scoring 82 and 40 across both innings.
Khawaja’s form ensured stability in Australia’s batting order and cemented his place for the Boxing Day Test.
With regular captain Pat Cummins opting out of the remainder of the Ashes series due to lumbar stress, Smith will continue to lead the side.
Australia have already secured the Ashes, allowing the team management to focus on player workload and long-term fitness rather than short-term results.
Speaking after Australia’s final training session on Christmas morning, Smith confirmed that selectors would wait until match day to finalise the playing XI.
The pitch at the MCG has been described as “quite furry” with around 10mm of grass, and cool, overcast conditions are expected on day one. These factors have pushed Australia towards an all-pace attack.
Australia have named four fast bowlers in their 12-man squad, with Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland likely to lead the attack.
Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, and Jhye Richardson are competing for the remaining spots. Richardson, returning from shoulder surgery, is edging closer to his first Test appearance since 2021 and has impressed with strong domestic performances.
Smith confirmed that Australia will go without a specialist spinner, meaning Todd Murphy is unlikely to feature, despite being drafted into the squad following Nathan Lyon’s injury. The decision reflects confidence in seam-friendly conditions throughout the Test.
Smith’s return has also resulted in a minor reshuffle in the batting order. Josh Inglis misses out, while Khawaja retains his place and is set to bat at No.5. Alex Carey continues at No.6 after his match-winning performances, with Cameron Green at seven.
Feeling “100 per cent” fit, Smith said he is ready to lead Australia as they aim to maintain their dominance at the MCG and close out the Ashes series on a high, despite several enforced changes to the lineup.
