Australian team announced for Boxing Day Test
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khaskhabar.com : Monday, December 18, 2023 4:38 PM
Melbourne. Australia has announced its 13-player squad for the upcoming Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in Melbourne, with uncapped pacer Lance Morris ruled out to return home for the domestic T20s.
The boxing test is scheduled to be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from 26 to 30 December.
The reigning ICC World Test Championship winners opted to reduce their playing group from 14 to 13 for the prestigious MCG Test match, with the omission of Morris being the only change to the squad following their win over Pakistan in Perth.
Morris has been released from the Test team to play in the BBL after the first Test against Pakistan in Perth.
Australia’s front-line attack has improved well since their 360-run win over Pakistan in the opening match in Perth, increasing the chances that they will field the same playing-11 for the MCG Test.
Chief selector George Bailey said, “Lance Morris has been released for the Melbourne match but he will be ready for Test cricket should the opportunity arise and he will be firmly included in our plans for the summer.”
This means the experienced trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and captain Pat Cummins could share the responsibility with the new ball in Melbourne, while local fast bowler Scott Boland remains the only other seam option left in the 13-player group.
All-rounder Cameron Green remains in the running to retain his place in the team, but Cummins believes it will be difficult to make any changes to a team that performed so impressively in Perth.
Star batsman Marnus Labuschagne has been cleared of any serious damage to the finger he injured during the opening Test against Pakistan and is expected to retain his place in the team in Melbourne.
Australia team: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner.
–IANS
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