When is the third Ashes Test? UK start time of Australia vs England, weather forecast, and how to watch in Melbourne

England head into their third Ashes test knowing that anything other than a win will dash their slim hopes of picking up a series win over Australia this winter.

Joe Root’s men currently trail the series 2-0 after suffering consecutive defeats at The Gabba and Adelaide Oval.

The latter, a day/night test that many had earmarked as a potential opportunity to make inroads Down Under, slipped away from them earlier in the week as their hosts posted an unassailable total that England ultimately fell 275 runs short of.

The visitors now head to Melbourne knowing that they must win, and that a vastly improved showing is almost certainly a necessity on their part - especially with the bat.

With the action set to get underway later this week, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the third Ashes Test...

When is the third Ashes Test taking place?

Australia will host England once again on Saturday December 25th 2021 and the Test is scheduled to finish on December 30th 2021 if all five days are required.

What time does the Test match start?

Play will begin at 11.45pm GMT and continue throughout the early hours of Boxing Day.

Where is the third Test being held?

England will travel to Melbourne, South Eastern Australia, to play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

How to watch the third Ashes Test match

BT Sport have the rights for all of the Ashes Test matches. Go to our How to watch the Ashes article to find out more.

What is the weather for the third test match in Melbourne?

Initial forecasts suggest that conditions could dry, if a little overcast, for the duration of the test.

Sunday is expected to be the coolest day by some distance, with highs of just 20 degrees, but from then on temperatures are expected to remain in the high 20s, peaking at around 27 degrees on Thursday 30th.

What is the team news?

England are yet to confirm their squad for the third test, but Sir Alastair Cook has urged them to make two changes to the side that lost in Adelaide.

The former captain wants to see Mark Wood and Dom Bess return in Melbourne.

Australia have already named their squad, however.

It reads as follows: Pat Cummins (capt), Steve Smith (vice-capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.

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