Australian team management is a bit worried about the fitness of Mitchell Starc as the selection committee has announced an unchanged 13-man squad today for the fourth Magellan Ashes Test at the MCG.

On Monday, it has also been revealed that Starc has a wounded heel on his front right landing foot. While he bowled on the final day at the WACA Ground, the southpaw’s injury is set to be assessed, with him having eight days to prove his fitness for the Boxing Day Test.

As the reserve fast bowler in the squad, Jackson Bird would be the likely replacement should Starc be unable to play. After scoring his maiden Test hundred in Perth, Mitchell Marsh is likely to retain his place in the XI and keep hometown favorite Peter Handscomb on the sidelines.

In the past 20 years there’s only been one drawn Test at the MCG – against India in 2014 – but each of the three JLT Sheffield Shield matches in the Victorian capital this summer have ended in draws on pitches that have favored batting.

In Australia’s last 10 Tests at the MCG expanding back to 1979-80, England has won four and lost six, including an Ashes-sealing win – by an innings and 157 runs – in 2010.

England will now be playing for pride after losing the first three Tests of the summer by margins of 10 wickets, 120 runs and an innings and 41 runs.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD FOR the Melbourne TEST: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird