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FOURTH ASHES TEST: AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
Venue: Melbourne Dates: 26-30 December Start time: 2330 GMT on 25 Dec
Coverage: Live on Test Match Special on BBC 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW & online; TMS highlights online (UK only) and day's review on the TMS podcast; live text on BBC Sport website; live on Sky Sports 1; highlights on ITV4
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Melbourne prepares for Boxing Day showdown
Andrew Strauss has told his England team they must not be overwhelmed by playing in front of almost 100,000 people in the crucial fourth Test.
The tourists can retain the Ashes with victory over Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting on Boxing Day.
And Strauss said: "One of the things that's important is that you're ready for the occasion, and not surprised.
"That's one of the messages we've been trying to get across - 'be prepared for it; it's going to be a big spectacle."
The England captain added: "It's out of the ordinary, we don't usually play in front of that number of people."
Following their heavy defeat at Perth in the third Test the series is poised at 1-1 with two to play.
England played out a dour draw in a tour match against Victoria in Melbourne two weeks ago, thanks largely to a second-innings century from Matt Prior.
And asked what he sees as the key quality at a ground where he made a first-innings 50 four years ago, opener Strauss replied: "Patience - which can be quite hard when there's a big crowd here and you've got a bit of adrenaline going through your blood.
"To remain patient and calm is quite tough.
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Trott ready for Boxing Day crowd
"A lot of patience is needed. Sometimes it can be pretty tough to score here," stated Strauss.
"You've got to be prepared to suck it in a little bit, absorb some pressure for a while and then hope to come out the other side as a batting unit.
"The general consensus at the MCG is if you go too hard at it too early you're going to be back in the hut."
James Anderson will lead England's attack, having been declared "100% fit" by Strauss, following a side strain.
The 28-year-old paceman bowled at close to full pace in the MCG nets over the past two days, including a light session on Saturday as England mixed preparation for the vital Test with some Christmas celebrations.
"He had a bit of a niggle but he seems to have got over that," said Strauss.
"He's 100% fit and available for selection."
With 200 wickets in 55 Test matches, Anderson is key to England's hopes of regaining their lead in the five-match series at the MCG, which is set to host over 90,000 people for the traditional Boxing Day encounter.
However, the fate of his his new-ball partner in Perth, Steve Finn, is less assured.
Although the 21-year-old has taken 19 wickets in the series - one less than leading wicket-taker Graeme Swann - he has conceded 3.96 runs an over, in comparison with Anderson's frugal 2.95.
The Middlesex seamer complained of sore calves after Perth, prompting speculation that he could be dropped for either Tim Bresnan or Ajmal Shahzad in Melbourne.
But Strauss defended the seamer: "Finny has done some really good things on this tour, taken quite a few wickets.
"He was probably a bit expensive in Perth (2-86 off 15 overs and 3-97 off 21).
"But he's young and he's learning and I think he's going to keep getting better.
"We're going to have to think about what that best balance is before tomorrow and we'll name the side at the toss."
England (from): AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, IR Bell, MJ Prior (wkt), GP Swann, TT Bresnan, CT Tremlett, JM Anderson, A Shahzad, ST Finn.
Australia (from): RT Ponting (captain), PJ Hughes, SR Watson, MJ Clarke, MEK Hussey, SPD Smith, BJ Haddin (wkt), MG Johnson, RJ Harris, BW Hilfenhaus, PM Siddle, MA Beer, UT Khawaja.
Umpires: A Dar (Pkn) and T Hill (NZ)
Third umpire: M Erasmus (SA)
Match referee: R Madugalle (SL)
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Venue: Melbourne Dates: 26-30 December Start time: 2330 GMT on 25 Dec
Coverage: Live on Test Match Special on BBC 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW & online; TMS highlights online (UK only) and day's review on the TMS podcast; live text on BBC Sport website; live on Sky Sports 1; highlights on ITV4
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Melbourne prepares for Boxing Day showdown
Andrew Strauss has told his England team they must not be overwhelmed by playing in front of almost 100,000 people in the crucial fourth Test.
The tourists can retain the Ashes with victory over Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting on Boxing Day.
And Strauss said: "One of the things that's important is that you're ready for the occasion, and not surprised.
"That's one of the messages we've been trying to get across - 'be prepared for it; it's going to be a big spectacle."
The England captain added: "It's out of the ordinary, we don't usually play in front of that number of people."
Following their heavy defeat at Perth in the third Test the series is poised at 1-1 with two to play.
England played out a dour draw in a tour match against Victoria in Melbourne two weeks ago, thanks largely to a second-innings century from Matt Prior.
And asked what he sees as the key quality at a ground where he made a first-innings 50 four years ago, opener Strauss replied: "Patience - which can be quite hard when there's a big crowd here and you've got a bit of adrenaline going through your blood.
"To remain patient and calm is quite tough.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Trott ready for Boxing Day crowd
"A lot of patience is needed. Sometimes it can be pretty tough to score here," stated Strauss.
"You've got to be prepared to suck it in a little bit, absorb some pressure for a while and then hope to come out the other side as a batting unit.
"The general consensus at the MCG is if you go too hard at it too early you're going to be back in the hut."
James Anderson will lead England's attack, having been declared "100% fit" by Strauss, following a side strain.
The 28-year-old paceman bowled at close to full pace in the MCG nets over the past two days, including a light session on Saturday as England mixed preparation for the vital Test with some Christmas celebrations.
"He had a bit of a niggle but he seems to have got over that," said Strauss.
"He's 100% fit and available for selection."
With 200 wickets in 55 Test matches, Anderson is key to England's hopes of regaining their lead in the five-match series at the MCG, which is set to host over 90,000 people for the traditional Boxing Day encounter.
However, the fate of his his new-ball partner in Perth, Steve Finn, is less assured.
Although the 21-year-old has taken 19 wickets in the series - one less than leading wicket-taker Graeme Swann - he has conceded 3.96 runs an over, in comparison with Anderson's frugal 2.95.
The Middlesex seamer complained of sore calves after Perth, prompting speculation that he could be dropped for either Tim Bresnan or Ajmal Shahzad in Melbourne.
But Strauss defended the seamer: "Finny has done some really good things on this tour, taken quite a few wickets.
"He was probably a bit expensive in Perth (2-86 off 15 overs and 3-97 off 21).
"But he's young and he's learning and I think he's going to keep getting better.
"We're going to have to think about what that best balance is before tomorrow and we'll name the side at the toss."
England (from): AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, IR Bell, MJ Prior (wkt), GP Swann, TT Bresnan, CT Tremlett, JM Anderson, A Shahzad, ST Finn.
Australia (from): RT Ponting (captain), PJ Hughes, SR Watson, MJ Clarke, MEK Hussey, SPD Smith, BJ Haddin (wkt), MG Johnson, RJ Harris, BW Hilfenhaus, PM Siddle, MA Beer, UT Khawaja.
Umpires: A Dar (Pkn) and T Hill (NZ)
Third umpire: M Erasmus (SA)
Match referee: R Madugalle (SL)
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