🏏 Smith's Four-Pacer Plan for Boxing Day Clash

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Key Takeaways

1📊 Four pacers no spinner on 10mm green MCG
2🏆 Repeats Brisbane success for 4-0 Ashes lock
3💡 Cooler 26°C aids seam dominance
4🔮 Eyes 5-0 sweep, urn retained early
5💬 'Four quicks, no spinner' - Steve Smith

"Cricbuzz understands there were not enough balls for the practice session and Mahmud was utterly disappointed with the whole matter and had altercation with the owners"

Steve Smith confirms Australia's four-pacer attack sans spinner for the Boxing Day Test, repeating Brisbane strategy despite Nathan Lyon's injury and Todd Murphy's omission. Inspecting the MCG's 10mm grassy, green-top pitch, Smith banks on seam amid cooler 26°C forecasts. This bold call eyes exploiting conditions for 4-0 Ashes lead.[cmjlgadto0002gd8vzq73xmv7]

Smith's captaincy—standing in for injured Cummins—mirrors second Test success, where pacers dominated. Australia's home Ashes record (93 wins/176) thrives on green tracks; Lyon's absence (64 wickets career) shifts to Hazlewood, Starc, Cummins, Boland. Post-Adelaide 3-0, it's killshot time.

Green-Top Tactics Echo Proven Formulas

MCG pitch's furry grass suits four quicks, like 2021-22 (4-0 win, 10mm+ grass averages). Stats: Australia take 70% wickets via pace at MCG; compare 2023 (drawn, spinner used). Smith's 373 runs (2023) complements attack, targeting England's 32.4% win rate away.

Pace Battery Secures Urn Retention

Locks 4-0 minimum, urn safe fourth straight home series. Pressures England's batting vs bounce; boosts WTC final hopes. No spinner risks turn later, but conditions favor seam.