Pat Murphy: "A great shame, this is one of the great sporting and social occasions"

Australia put England in after winning yet another toss, but hopes for play were immediately dashed by a persistent downpour.

The toss was Australian captain Mark Taylor's fourth successive win in the series, but his team were unable to capitalise on his continuing luck.

The rain came after a hot Christmas Day was followed by a thunderstorm in Melbourne.

Henry Blofeld describes a damp MCG (BBC Test Match Special)

Despite the forecast, a large crowd of around 57,000 people turned up at the giant stadium, but many drifted away as the prospects for play diminished.

Meanwhile England coach David Lloyd, has dismissed fresh press speculation in the UK that he is considering stepping down before his contract ends next year.

Stewart gives up gloves

Play will now be extended on the remaining four days to make up some of the time lost, with a scheduled start of 2330 GMT for day two.

Graham Gooch on England's team selection

When the match does start it will be marked by Alec Stewart renewing his opening partnership with Mike Atherton for the first time since the West Indies tour earlier this year.

The England skipper has decided to relinquish his role as wicket-keeper, with Lancashire's Warren Hegg receiving a Test debut.

"This is the ultimate. There's no bigger place in the world to make your Test debut, apart from maybe Lord's," said Hegg. "Unless a World XI takes on Mars, I can never get any higher than this."

Mark Butcher drops down the order to number three, with Nasser Hussain, Mark Ramprakash and Graeme Hick completing six specialist batsmen.

Hegg will bat at seven, but England's bowling plans have been disrupted by a hip injury to Alex Tudor.

Graham Gooch gives Warren Hegg his first Test cap

Angus Fraser is handed an unexpected recall after the young fast bowler was ruled out after a vigorous morning net.

Tudor had been expected to return to the England line-up after his five wicket debut in Perth was followed by being left out in Adelaide.

But the Surrey paceman's loss is Fraser's gain, with the Middlesex seamer now having a chance to end a good year back on the Test scene.

Warren Hegg 'A nice Christmas present' (Radio 5 Live)

He was dropped after the first Test in Brisbane despite taking 56 wickets in 13 Tests this year.

Nicholson debut

Australia have sprung a surprise by including Matt Nicholson, the 24-year-old fast bowler, who has played only seven first-class games.

With Jason Gillespie already out, he is preferred to seamer/spinner Colin Miller, after taking seven for 77 for Western Australia against England earlier in their tour.

Darren Lehmann is their other change, replacing the out-of-form Ricky Ponting.

Alec Stewart: Watching and waiting

Glenn McGrath has been passed fit, despite complaining of feeling unwell on the final day of the third Test in Adelaide.

He missed practice on Thursday with a virus, but came through a session on Christmas Day.

England's festive practice included a light-hearted game of soccer at the MCG while the Australians and their families ate Christmas lunch together.

The England squad will be hoping the presence of their own wives and girlfriends will provide a boost in morale after the disappointments of the past few weeks.

The Ashes have been lost although England could still draw the series by winning the final two Test matches in Melbourne and Sydney.

Australia:

M Taylor (Capt), M Slater, J Langer, M Waugh, S Waugh, D Lehmann, I Healy (Wkt), D Fleming, S MacGill, G McGrath, M Nicholson.

England:

M Atherton, A Stewart (Capt), M Butcher, N Hussain, M Ramprakash, G Hick, W Hegg (Wkt), D Gough, A Mullally, D Headley, A Fraser.

Australia won toss and decided to field

Umpires: D J Harper and S A Bucknor