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Australia have a chance to wrap up the Ashes in the quickest time since the late 19th century if they are able to beat England in the Boxing Day Test.

Australia are on the verge of the quickest retainment of the Ashes in more than 130 years, with the short turnaround between Tests compounding England's misery.

Pat Cummins' men will wrap up the series in just three Tests with victory at the MCG, making for the seventh time the hosts have done so in the last eight series down under.

But with the cluttered international calendar making for a more condensed series, the end could come quicker than ever before for England.

If Australia win in Melbourne on the fifth day, the 23 days from the start of the series to the fate of the urn being decided would be the quickest since the three-Test series of 1890.

England had just four days to recover from the nine-wicket loss in the first Test in Brisbane and then five days between their 285-run loss in Adelaide and Boxing Day.

Barring a rare two-day rout of the tourists at the MCG, Australia at least won't wrap up the Ashes in 11 days of playing time like they did in both 2001 and 2002-03.

But they are well aware of the advantage presented to them by the quick turnaround of the Tests, where both sides have had to contend with changes to their bowling attack.

I think it certainly helps (keep momentum)," Marnus Labuschagne said this week.

"I always found, drawing a similar link to county cricket, when you played very consecutively you get a nice rhythm and a feel of the games."

If Australia are to draw or win at the MCG and retain the Ashes, it will mark the 16th time a five or six-Test series between the sides has been determined after just three matches.

Australia have done so on 14 occasions while the only times England have mirrored that feat were in 1928-29 and 2019.

With England adamant they can become just the second side in history to fight back from 2-0 down to win the series, Australia know the job is not yet done.

"I know how quickly Test cricket can turn around," coach Justin Langer said.

"I know how quickly things can change. Everyone in the squad knows and respects that.

"We respect Test cricket is tough. We respect England have got a number of very, very good players in their team.

"The mission was to win the Ashes in Australia. We've won two Test matches. We've got one (win) to go.

"And hopefully from our point of view that happens this Test match."