With two defeats Wally Hammond would have to win the last three Tests to regain the Ashes, though Don Bradman had done this in the last series in Australia.
The Melbourne wicket had a reputation for fast, pacey wickets, but after two shocks at Brisbane and Sydney few were surprised that it was not living up to its reputation; "The 1947 wicket was not as tame as all that, but it was, for Melbourne, exceedingly meek".
Ray Lindwall was fit again and resigned his job when his employers refused him leave to play in the Test.
 Fred Freer was dropped and the slow left-arm wrist-spin bowler George Tribe was replaced by the leg-spinner Bruce Dooland.
Arthur Morris had failed in the two Tests, but was given another chance instead of Ken Meuleman.
Peter Smith was ill with appendicitis and James Langridge had strained a muscle in catching practice the day before the match, so Hammond had no spinner apart from Doug Wright and the 37-year-old fast bowler Bill Voce was recalled.
Don Bradman won the toss and chose to bat on New Year's Day.
With two defeats Wally Hammond would have to win the last three Tests to regain the Ashes, though Don Bradman had done this in the last series in Australia. The Melbourne wicket had a reputation for fast, pacey wickets, but after two shocks at Brisbane and Sydney few were surprised that it was not living up to its reputation; "The 1947 wicket was not as tame as all that, but it was, for Melbourne, exceedingly meek". Ray Lindwall was fit again and resigned his job when his employers refused him leave to play in the Test.  Fred Freer was dropped and the slow left-arm wrist-spin bowler George Tribe was replaced by the leg-spinner Bruce Dooland. Arthur Morris had failed in the two Tests, but was given another chance instead of Ken Meuleman. Peter Smith was ill with appendicitis and James Langridge had strained a muscle in catching practice the day before the match, so Hammond had no spinner apart from Doug Wright and the 37-year-old fast bowler Bill Voce was recalled. Don Bradman won the toss and chose to bat on New Year's Day.
1946–47 Ashes series