India and Australia clash in the 4th Test match in Melbourne while the WTC leaders South Africa host Pakistan in their first Test in Centurion. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe also clash in the Boxing Day Test match starting on Thursday.

Australia heaved a major sigh of relief on Wednesday after skipper Pat Cummins declared run-machine Travis Head fit for the Boxing Day test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. India nemesis Head,

TOPSHOT - Australian captain Pat Cummins bowls in the nets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 24, 2024, ahead of the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India starting December 26. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE--

The Melbourne pitch is expected to be pace-friendly for the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India. The five-match Test series is evenly poised at 1-1 after three matches.

Boxing Day has made a significant place in the sporting calendar with several top-flight cricket and football matches happening on December 26 every year.

India have been unbeaten in Boxing Day Tests against Australia at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for over a decade since 2014 across three appearances. Find out more about India's records in Boxing Day Test matches,

In-form Australian batter Travis Head will be fit for the fourth test and India are considering restoring captain Rohit Sharma to the opener's slot for the match starting in Melbourne on Thursday. Head is the leading run scorer in the five-test series but the left-hander suffered a quad strain in Brisbane.