Boxing Day Test LIVE: Australia out to extend 3-nil lead over England at the MCG

Morning all. A big clue emerging at the MCG before play.

Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson are marking their run-ups. Brendan Doggett, on that basis, you would think is set to miss out given three needed to go into two.

An overcast and very cool Melbourne morning means it could be a bowl first day.

Which player will end up 12th man? Find out before the toss today.

Just because the last two Tests of the Ashes series are again dead does not mean that they are not brimming with life, gravitas and meaning. No Ashes Test can be fully, incontrovertibly and certifiably dead.

For a start, this time, these Tests are Australia’s common cause. The most frequent adjective heard about the country in the sombre aftermath of the Bondi Beach massacre is “divided”. Cricket can’t be a panacea, but it can and does bring people together in a purpose outside and greater than themselves. It’s a trivial purpose in the scheme of things, but shared nonetheless. Who knows, it might even drown out screeching politicians?

Read more from Greg Baum

Happy Boxing Day folks. You know what that means, don’t you? That’s right, Test cricket at the MCG. What an iconic event on our sporting calendar.

While the Aussies have retained the Ashes, leading the English 3-0, there is still a stack of interest to see if the home side can go for a 5-0 whitewash.

Welcome to The Age blog, my name is Danny Russell and I will be with you throughout today’s play.