‘AUSTRALIA EXPECT ENGLAND TO HIT BACK IN BOXING DAY TEST’

Australia’s young all-rounder Cameron Green said on Friday that the hosts are wary of a strong fightback from a ‘word-class’ England side in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Australia are leading the 5-Test Ashes series 2-0 after having hammered England in Brisbane and Adelaide.

However, Cameron Green said Australia are ready for anything that England throw at them in the Boxing Day Test. Joe Root’s men have looked ordinary so far but they need to step up if they are to save the Ashes series.

“Not saying that the performances weren’t good, they had really good moments and we know how good they are and obviously a world class team, world class players,” Green said.

“We played really well the last couple of matches, we’re sure they’ll bounce back really hard.”

Green said it was important to put the series to bed as quickly as possible as it was dangerous to give England the slightest encouragement.

“You never want to let a world class team like England back into the series so if we can keep on top … that’s what we are looking for,” he added.

Stand-in captain Steve Smith had said he was advised to manage the 22-year-old’s workload on the final day of the pink ball contest in Adelaide but Green said he is ready to go for Melbourne. Green has managed to get the prized wicket of England captain Root twice in the series but said there is no big secret to playing the England skipper.

“I just have very simple plans to him. Just keep it tight from one end and let the other guys do their job,” Green said.“I’ve just got lucky a couple of times.”

Green is likely to retain his place in the side even as captain Pat Cummins is set to return for the 3rd Test, starting Monday. It remains to be seen if Josh Hazlewood who missed the 2nd Test due to a side strain returns for the crucial Test.