In a significant shake-up ahead of the crucial Boxing Day Test, the England cricket team has announced two major changes to their squad for the remainder of the Ashes 2025-26 tour in Australia. The visitors have dropped out-of-form vice-captain Ollie Pope and lost their premier fast bowler, Jofra Archer, to a serious injury.
Major Squad Changes Announced
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the news on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, just days before the fourth Test is set to begin at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the remainder of the tour with a left side strain, dealing a massive blow to England's hopes of salvaging pride in the series.
Simultaneously, the team management has taken the tough call to drop batter Ollie Pope from the playing XI. Pope's omission comes after a prolonged struggle with the bat. Playing at the crucial number three position, he failed to score a single half-century in six innings, with his highest score being 46 in the first Test.
Injury Blow and Batting Reshuffle
Archer's injury is a particularly bitter pill for England to swallow. The pacer was one of the few bright spots in a disappointing campaign, having taken a five-wicket haul (fifer) in the third Test. His express pace and precise short balls were the only source of consistent trouble for the Australian batting line-up. His absence leaves a gaping hole in the English attack.
To fill this void, Surrey seamer Gus Atkinson has been called into the squad. With the series already lost at 3-0 down in the five-match contest, Atkinson will be tasked with helping England avoid a whitewash.
In the batting department, young Jacob Bethell has been brought in to replace Ollie Pope. This change will force a reshuffle in the top order, and all eyes will be on how the visiting team's batting lineup shapes up for the Melbourne Test.
England's Final Push for Pride
Apart from these two enforced changes, England is expected to stick with a similar lineup. There are no signs of specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir being included, with all-rounder Will Jacks remaining the primary spin option for captain Ben Stokes.
Despite the Ashes urn being retained by Australia, the English team will be desperate to put up a fight in the final two matches. They will also be encouraged by the fact that the home team will be without their skipper, Pat Cummins, and the experienced off-spinner Nathan Lyon for the Boxing Day clash.
The confirmed England XI for the fourth Test at the MCG is: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue.
The team, which has faced criticism on and off the field during this tour, now faces the challenge of restoring some credibility with a strong performance in Melbourne.
