When is the fourth Ashes Test? 2021-22 Australia vs England UK start times and team news.

England will once again face Australia in the fourth Ashes test Match in Sydney today. The match follows an absolutely devastatingly crushing defeat in Melbourne where Australia were able to keep hold of the precious urn once more.

Pat Cummins returned once more to his captaincy role following a Covid-19 enforced break in the second test and led his side to a demoralising innings defeat over England.

Australia have held the Ashes since the 2017/18 series which took place in Australia and look set to continue their possession of the Trophy until at least 2023.

Joe Root led his tentative and fearful side from the front once more, top scoring in both innings.

The England skipper, whose position now looks to be heavily questioned, scored a half century before top scoring with just 28 in the second innings as his side was bowled out for their lowest score in Australia since the early 1900s.

The test debutant Scott Boland could not have had a more successful start to his Test career as he took figures of six for seven in the second innings, ensuring England were unable to score any more than 68 altogether.

England have seen some severe lows when playing Test cricket but none can compare to this demolition in recent years.

The Test match itself lasted just 1084 balls and has become the shortest completed Test match hosted by Australia in 70 years.

Now with just two Test matches left down under, Joe Root will hope to inspire some sort of redeeming play from his men and hope to salvage what is left of arguably England’s worst ever Ashes series as they play their second and final Pink Ball Test this week.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the fourth Test match.

When is the fourth Test Match being played?

The Fourth Test Match will begin on Tuesday 4 January 2022 and, if all five days are required (which seems unlikely) then play will end on Sunday 9 January 2022.

Where is the fourth Test Match being played?

Australia will host England at the Sydney Cricket Ground

What are the match timings?

The match will begin at 11.30pm GMT and play will end at around 7.30am GMT the following morning.

The first session will occur between 11.30pm and 1.30am GMT with the players being given 40 minutes for lunch.

After lunch, players will return to the pitch from between roughly 2.10am and 4.10am GMT. Root and Cummins’ men will then have a 20 minute tea break before reaching the final session of the match.

How to watch the fourth Ashes test match

The Test will be available to watch live on BT Sport. Coverage will start at 10.30pm GMT.

Highlights of the match will be available on BT Sport 1 at 8.15am, 12.30pm GMT and on BBC iPlayer from 5pm GMT.

Go to our How to watch the Ashes article to find out more.

What is the squad news?

Both camps have suffered as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic as England Head coach Chris Silverwood; fast bowling coach Jon Lewis; Spin coach Jeetan PAtel and fitness coach Darren Veness have all tested positive.

The Australian batsman Travis Head, who has scored a total of 248 runs in the series so far, has tested positive for the virus and has consequently been forced to stay in Melbourne rather than travelling with the rest of the squad to Sydney.

Usman Khawaja will take his place in the squad.

England fast bowler Stuart Broad will once more return to the side, replacing Ollie Robinson who is currently suffering a small injury in his shoulder.

England XI: Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c),Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wk), Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Australia XI: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c),Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.

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