Tim Paine's family tragedy on Christmas Eve

The Australians are wearing black arm bands in the Boxing Day Test after a family tragedy for wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

Paine delayed his trip to Melbourne for the fourth Ashes Test after his father-in-law Thomas Maggs suffered a stroke.

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On Tuesday morning it was revealed that Maggs had died on Christmas Eve.

Paine has been one of the national selectors' great success stories this summer.

The 33-year-old was a left-field selection in the Ashes squad for the first Test, having contemplated retirement after struggling the previous summer to get a game for Tasmania.

Paine has since cemented his spot in the Test XI, impressing with bat and gloves to a point where he appears an automatic selection for the ensuing Test tour of South Africa.

Tasmanian teammate Jackson Bird said Paine's focus would be squarely on performing on the big stage of a Boxing Day Test.

"Tim's one of the most mentally strong players I've ever played with," Bird said.

"If there's anybody who can compartmentalise that (and perform well), I think it's him.

"The thoughts of the Australian team, our families and I think as well as the Australian public are all with Bonnie and Tim through this tough time."

Australia have won the toss and elected to bat in Melbourne.

England paceman Tom Curran will make his Test debut in place of Craig Overton but offspinner Moeen Ali has been cleared to play after hurting his hand in training.

Bird has replaced injured spearhead Mitchell Starc for the hosts, who have an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

AUSTRALIA: Cameron Bancroft, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird

ENGLAND: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (c), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Tom Curran, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

with AAP