England made four changes to the Boxing Day Test on Saturday to keep the Ashes alive, while Australia made debut fast bowler Scott Boland.
Joe Root’s side will have to win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the cauldron after heavy losses in the first two Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide and with three still to play to remain in the hunt.
Those losses were characterized by a drop in batting due to poor bowling and fielding, with the visiting team looking to prevent rot from shaking.
Zak Crowley was remembered for struggling opener Rory Burns, while veteran Jonny Bairstow held on to number six from youngster Ollie Pope, who failed to open fire.
He has reunited the bowling unit with pacer Mark Wood, who has returned from rest after a 275-run loss in Adelaide.
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Off-spinner Jack Leach is also back, with Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad overlooked in an attack that will be led by veteran pacers Jimmy Anderson and Ollie Robinson.
Australia is buoyed by the return of captain Pat Cummins, who missed the second Test after being in close contact with a Covid-19 case. He has replaced Michael Neser.
But, as expected, fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood will be missed again as he continues to recover from a side strain.
Jhye Richardson, who took five wickets in England’s second innings at Adelaide, was upset after sending 38 overs to make his debut with Boland and replace him at his home ground.
The veteran right-hander would become the first indigenous man to play Test cricket for Australia since Jason Gillespie in 2006.
England: Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crowley, David Malan, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Jimmy Anderson
Australia: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
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