Ben Stokes has declared this is “probably the toughest time” in his career as England captain ahead of the fourth Ashes Test, which gets underway at 10.30am AEDT on Friday.
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Stokes told reporters protecting his teammates’ welfare was his top priority after claims of excessive drinking on a mid-Ashes beach break.
It was added pressure for Stokes in what has already been a challenging series on the field, with England falling into a 3-0 hole and subsequently losing any hope of regaining the urn.
In a further blow for the tourists, pace spearhead Jofra Archer was ruled out for the remainder of the series through injury with Gus Atkinson coming in for the Melbourne Cricket Ground Test.
In an unforced changed, meanwhile, Ollie Pope has been dropped with Jacob Bethell taking his place.
Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of Friday’s opening day, Stokes admitted “this is probably the toughest time right now as an England captain that I’ll have”.
However, he vowed to face the challenge head on.
“I’m not going to run away from it. I feel like I will lead for the rest of this trip how I think I can help guys get through it,” Stokes said.
It is a very different feeling in the Australian camp, with the hosts holding an unassailable 3-0 lead.
Obviously, the dream result would be a series whitewash but it helps to already have the Ashes wrapped up considering Australia will be without skipper Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon.
It means an all-pace attack for Australia, with stand-in skipper Steve Smith explaining on Thursday that they had opted for that approach given the “quite furry” surface at the MCG.
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“I dare say it’s going to offer quite a bit, particularly if (day one) is similar conditions to today, quite cold and overcast so I dare say there’s going to be quite a bit of movement,” he added.
“You just got to play what surface you’re presented with. This one looks like it’s going to offer a fair bit of assistance for the seam bowlers and the weather throughout the week looks conducive for that too.”
Australia named a 12-man squad with a final decision on who leads the attack alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland being made at the toss.
One of Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, or Brendan Doggett will miss out. Doggett and Neser played in the second Test in Brisbane, but made way in Adelaide when Cummins and Lyon returned.
Richardson is in his first squad for four years after three shoulder surgeries.
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