australia england ashes test series boxing day,Michael Beer waits on possible Boxing Day debut,

Michael Beer will have to wait until the morning of the Boxing Day Test to find out whether he'll make his international debut in front of 91,000 people at the MCG. Ricky Ponting, who will take his place in the side despite a broken little finger, wants to have a final look at Melbourne conditions before naming his side on a surface expected to aid seam, but be on the slow side.

Australia used four frontline quicks at Perth with impressive results as they secured a 267-run victory to level the Ashes series. The main attack was so successful in removing England for 187 and 123 that the fill-in bowlers, Shane Watson and Steven Smith, weren't even needed to turn their arm over. However, the surface at the MCG won't offer the same bounce for the quicks and Australia will need to consider a balanced attack.

"We'll wait until the morning to do that, we'll see what the weather's like and see if the pitch has changed at all," Ponting said about his line-up. "There was a bit of moisture in it today and it was bit different. We want to make sure we have all the bases covered. Speaking to a lot of the Victorian boys that's how it's been throughout the year."

"We thought the four quicks in Perth worked really well," he added. "The pitch didn't offer our bowlers any more than it did England's, it's just that we used it better and were able to rotate the four quicks. They all executed their plans really well. Conditions here will offer some early help to the seam and swing bowlers, how long that lasts is the question. Will you need a spinner on day four or day five? As I said after Perth, it's about picking the four best bowlers for the conditions."

Beer was a surprise call-up for the WACA Test before being left out on the first morning. Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said Beer's local knowledge of playing for Western Australia was a key factor even though the he'd only moved to the state this season. Having grown up playing for St Kilda in Melbourne he's probably more likely to know what to expect in this Test should a baggy green come his way. Prior to the Perth Test, Ponting's Test future was hanging in the balance with England a victory away from retaining the Ashes and, despite success last week, it's the same situation confronting the captain. "I was asked about it last week," he said when questioned about whether this match was career-defining. "I guess if we lose it might be."

At least he'll be fit to guide his own destiny after coming through two tough net sessions in two days without any reaction from his broken little finger. "I've been surprised by how well it has come on the last couple of days and how well I've been able to train," he said. "I've batted a lot and done the fielding. Something quite strange will have to happen to keep me out."

Another challenge, though, for Ponting is to regain his own form which has seen him make 83 runs in six innings during the series and that included an unbeaten 51 as the Brisbane Test drifted to a draw. Ponting knows he can't rest on past glories, but the MCG has been a happy hunting ground for him with four hundreds and an average of 62.42.

"I've had enough fifties to suggest I should have had a hundred," he said. "Coming back from India with three 70s was unlike me, so it has been a long time between drinks. At No.3 you are expected to be a consistent run-scorer and I haven't done that. Hopefully I will in the next couple of weeks."

Andrew Strauss won't be offering any festive spirit when Ponting strides in, and is focussed on maintaing his opposite number's problems. "It's not Christmas tomorrow," he said."