While Australia will wait to decide on its XI, the Kiwis have confirmed two changes to the side smashed by 296 runs in Perth.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson yesterday confirmed Tom Blundell would replace struggling opener Jeet Raval at the top of the order at the MCG.
As expected, ace quick Trent Boult returns from a rib injury, with fellow fast bowler Lockie Ferguson making way.
The left-armer was sorely missed in Perth. Boult’s 17-wicket haul in Australian conditions is the sixth-most by a Kiwi bowler.
After his side crumbled against the pink ball in the first test of the series, Williamson said there was no better way to bounce back than in Melbourne.
The Kiwis’ last Boxing Day test, in 1987, resulted in a famous draw.
A crowd of about 75,000 is expected for day one.
‘‘There’s a sense of romance about being involved in the Boxing Day test,’’ Williamson told reporters yesterday.
‘‘I know we always play cricket on Boxing Day, but I think there’s only one Boxing Day test and it’s the one over here.
‘‘At the same time, it’s sort of removing a little bit of that [hype] and bringing the focus back to the cricket.
‘‘Perth was tough and Australia were very good and tactically sound. It’s important we learn from some bits of Perth.’’
Williamson labelled Blundell a ‘‘smart’’ and ‘‘positive’’ player capable of rising to the occasion.
Blundell played the last of his two tests in December 2017 and batted at No 8.
‘‘It’s important you adapt to the conditions in front of you and important he goes out and looks to play his natural game,’’ Williamson said.
Meanwhile, Queensland paceman Michael Neser could be handed a test debut as Australia considers playing five bowlers.
Gunning for a fourth straight victory this summer, the Australian hierarchy is toying with the idea of dropping vice-captain Travis Head for the MCG battle with New Zealand.
It would see Queenslander Neser come into the XI and captain Tim Paine shift up to No 6 for the second test.
But Paine will delay making the call until getting a final look at the pitch this morning.
The much-maligned wicket took a huge hit less than three weeks ago when a Sheffield Shield match was abandoned for being too dangerous.
But the MCG’s recent test decks have attracted criticism for being too lifeless, which is at the forefront of Australia’s conundrum.
‘‘Looking at the wicket in the last two or three Boxing Day test matches, it’s been very hard to take 20 wickets,’’ Australia captain Tim Paine told reporters yesterday.
‘‘Our batting team has been scoring a lot of runs so if we were to go one more bowler, we would be comfortable they could do the job.
‘‘The bowlers we would be bringing in can all bat so while we’re taking a batter out, we’re probably lengthening our lineup.’’
If Head is dumped for the second time this year it would allow Neser to slot in at No 7.
The 29-year-old has a first-class batting average of 25.13 and belted a domestic one-day century in 2017 to be considered a bowling all-rounder.
South African-born Neser has 167 first-class wickets at an average of 26.15 from 52 matches.
Paine said it would be a ‘‘nice problem’’ juggling four quicks and spinner Nathan Lyon.
Australia has rarely played five genuine bowlers. Mitch Marsh has regularly been used as an extra option but batted at No 6.
Even though Australia has refused to confirm his inclusion, Victorian fast bowler James Pattinson will almost certainly replace the injured Josh Hazlewood.
Pattinson will reignite with fellow quicks Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
‘‘It would be better than the [problem] I had in Perth, that’s for sure,’’ Paine said.
Despite suffering a thumb injury at training this week, opener David Warner has been declared a certain starter.
Warner, who ran riot with 489 runs in the two-test series against Pakistan, trained on Wednesday morning.
Paine said he had no concerns over the 33-year-old’s fitness and Warner would take his place at the top of the order with Joe Burns.
