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Fresh blow for England as top quick ruled out

England bowling stocks suffer fresh blow with Craig Overton ruled out of MCG spectacle with fractured rib

England's horror Ashes campaign has been dealt another blow with Craig Overton ruled out of the Boxing Day Test due to a rib injury.

The right-armer, who made his Test debut in Adelaide earlier this month, was diagnosed with a cracked rib during the third Magellan Ashes Test in Perth.

Uncapped paceman Tom Curran is reportedly favoured to debut at the MCG, while Jake Ball is also in the squad and right-arm speedster Mark Wood has trained with the England team this week.

Overton has been one of England's best players in a nightmare tour that has seen them again surrender the urn before Christmas.

Ouch! Overton misjudges Cummins bouncer

Having been struck in the ribs when batting in Adelaide, Overton exacerbated the damage when he tumbled attempting to take a catch off his own bowling in Perth.

The 23-year-old bravely played through the injury at the WACA Ground, but England confirmed on Sunday that he will miss the match.

Overton claims memorable maiden Test wicket

"It's obviously quite sore … and not the most ideal thing to get," Overton said earlier this week.

"It just seemed like battling through the pain was in my nature. I've always been taught to fight through things, and that's what I've had to do."

Curran, an uncapped right-armer from Surrey, was only added to England's Ashes squad when Steve Finn was ruled out at the start of the tour due to injury.

A 22-year-old who was born in South Africa, Curran played a one-day international and three T20s for England earlier this year.

Ball took one wicket in the first Test at The Gabba before he was dropped, while there remains concern about Wood's ability to get through a full game. Wood is in Australia with the England Lions squad and possesses plenty of raw pace, but his recent injury history may count against him.

Uncapped leg-spinner Mason Crane is also an option should England want another slow bowler.

Australia have already confirmed they will make a change for the MCG clash, with Jackson Bird to take the place of Mitchell Starc (bruised heel).

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21