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England bring in Tom Curran for Boxing Day Ashes Test debut against Australia

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Skipper Joe Root says Tom Curran will bring skill and competitive spirit to the England side for the Boxing Day Test match.

Tom Curran will make his Test debut in England's only change for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia in Melbourne.

The Surrey fast bowler replaces injured Craig Overton, who aggravated a rib injury when the tourists relinquished the Ashes to Australia in last week's third Perth Test.

Curran, who has played three T20Is and one ODI, was not originally chosen in England's Ashes touring squad but got his chance when Steve Finn left the tour early with knee cartilage problems.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 13: Tom Curran of England looks on during an England nets session ahead of the Third Test of the 2017/18 Ashes Series at the WA
Image: Curran has made four appearances for England in the short form of the game

Captain Joe Root said he was backing Curran to make the most of his opportunity in the showpiece Boxing Day Test before huge crowds.

"Tom offers a lot and is a real competitor," said Root. "He has that real sort of work ethic and the way he goes about things is very similar to Craig (Overton) actually.

"The way he gets involved in the contest - he is going to get involved in absolutely everything. He's also very skilful and hopefully he can have a really good week here."

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 10: Tom Curran of England celebrates after taking the wicket of Sam Harper of the Cricket Australia XI during the Two Day tour
Image: Curran took five wickets in a tour match in Perth a fortnight ago

Curran was given the nod ahead of Jake Ball and Mark Wood - Wood is nearing full fitness after touring with the England Lions, while Ball struggled in his only Test appearance on tour in Brisbane.

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"It wasn't an easy decision," Root said. "We certainly had a little while thinking about it on this surface and these conditions. For the balance of this team I think Tom is the best option."

Curran took 24 wickets in nine first-class matches during the 2017 English county season at an average of 34.

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Jonny Bairstow has jumped to the defence of England's record-breaking new-ball partnership of Stuart Broad and James Anderson.

The 22-year-old played for England in the tour game against a Cricket Australia XI in Perth on December 10, where he took five match wickets and made an unbeaten 77.

Apart from Curran's selection, under-fire senior players Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad held their team spots, while out-of-sorts Moeen Ali was preferred to young leg-spinner Mason Crane as the sole spinner.

England team to play Australia in fourth Test: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (capt), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Tom Curran, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.

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Chris Woakes admits England need to put in better performances as they prepare for the Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne with the hosts holding an unassailable 3-0 lead.

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