Resolution criteria

Each prediction will resolve as follows based on the official match records from the 4th Ashes Test between Australia and England, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26 to 30, 2025:

• Australia Win Toss: Resolves 'Yes' if Australia wins the coin toss; 'No' otherwise.

• Australia Win Game: Resolves 'Yes' if Australia wins the match; 'No' otherwise.

• Winner by innings: Resolves 'Yes' if the match is won by an innings margin; 'No' otherwise.

• Draw: Resolves 'Yes' if the match ends in a draw; 'No' otherwise.

• Tie: Resolves 'Yes' if the match ends in a tie; 'No' otherwise.

• Australia Bowl First: Resolves 'Yes' if Australia bowls first in the match; 'No' otherwise.

• Smith 100: Resolves 'Yes' if Steve Smith scores 100 or more runs in a single innings; 'No' otherwise.

• Cummins 5fa: Resolves 'Yes' if Pat Cummins takes five or more wickets in a single innings; 'No' otherwise.

• Boland MOTM: Resolves 'Yes' if Scott Boland is named Man of the Match; 'No' otherwise.

• Root 100: Resolves 'Yes' if Joe Root scores 100 or more runs in a single innings; 'No' otherwise.

Official match records will be referenced from ESPNcricinfo and Cricket Australia.

Background

The 4th Test of the 2025–26 Ashes series is scheduled at the MCG, a venue with a rich history in hosting Boxing Day Tests. Australia has retained the Ashes in the previous two series, winning in 2021–22 and drawing in 2023. The MCG has been a stronghold for Australia, with notable performances such as Scott Boland's 6/7 in the 2021 Boxing Day Test. (cricket.com.au)

Key players to watch include:

• Steve Smith: Achieved his 34th Test century at the MCG in December 2024, scoring 140 runs. (en.wikipedia.org)

• Pat Cummins: Recorded 80 wickets in 18 matches during the 2023–2025 World Test Championship, with a best innings figure of 6/28. (en.wikipedia.org)

• Scott Boland: Known for his exceptional performance at the MCG, including the 6/7 spell in 2021.

• Joe Root: England's leading run-scorer in Test cricket, with a high score of 262 achieved in October 2024. (en.wikipedia.org)

Considerations

• Weather Conditions: Melbourne's weather can be unpredictable during December, potentially affecting match outcomes.

• Pitch Behavior: The MCG pitch has historically favored both batsmen and bowlers at different times, making match dynamics variable.

• Player Form and Injuries: The form and fitness of key players leading up to the match could significantly influence the game's outcome.