Smith out to make it four MCG Test tons

If England are hoping for some respite from the Steve Smith masterclass, recent years suggest it won't come at the MCG.

The case for Smith being Australia's best batsman since Don Bradman continues to grow, with the captain having helped his side to reclaim the Ashes with player-of-the-match innings in Brisbane and Perth.

Smith's knock of 239 at the WACA is the highest score in a 59-Test career that has featured no shortage of highlights in the past four years.

The right-hander hasn't been at his best in previous Boxing Day Tests against England, managing scores of 19, 38 and six.

But Smith has reached three figures in the past three Tests at the MCG – and he's hungry for more as Australia seek to continue their push for a 5-0 Magellan Ashes series thumping.

"It's been fantastic to be involved in a few Boxing Day Tests and to have had some success in them as well," Smith told TABradio.

"Hopefully, I can have that kind of success on a sold-out day one of the Boxing Day game. It's such a special occasion."

Smith's Test average at the MCG is an imposing 127.6. Only Bradman averages more at the venue, with 128.53.

The current world No.1 ranked batsman is averaging 142 in this series. Only once before has Smith managed such an impressive number in a Test series, when he was dismissed once and plundered runs with ease in 2015-16 against the West Indies.

"I'm proud of my performances throughout this series," he said.

"I've had to dig deep a couple of times to get the team to the position we needed to be in.

"There's been moments throughout each game that England have had a foot in the door and we've been able to claw it back and get ourselves in front."

Steve Smith's Test record at the MCG

638 runs at 127.6

Has scored centuries in his past three Boxing Day Tests

Statistically, it is the Australian Test venue where Smith has performed most consistently. He averages 71.87 at the Gabba, 67.44 at the WACA, 66.42 at the SCG, 65 at Adelaide Oval and 44.5 at Blundstone Arena

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