As we are inching closer to the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India starting on December 26, 2024, the excitement has started to build up.
The first three Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024/25 are done and dusted, with the series level at 1-1. So the Boxing Day Test will be an important game for both sides.
And Australia have revealed their playing XI that will take the field at the MCG against India starting Thursday. Australia’s captain Pat Cummins announced the playing XI on Christmas Day.
Read Also:- Australia Test Record in Boxing Day Matches
Australia Make Two Changes
The hosts have made two changes to the squad that played the Brisbane Test. Both of the changes were on the expected lines after Josh Hazlewood got injured and Nathan McSweeney got dropped.
Australia have brought in Scott Boland in place of Hazlewood. The 35-year-old pacer featured in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, taking five wickets across both innings.
The hosts have decided to hand the Test debut to Sam Konstas after dropping McSweeney following his poor run. Konstats is all set to open Australia’s batting along with Usman Khawaja.
Travis Head Good to Go
There were doubts over Travis Head’s availability for the Boxing Day Test after he suffered a minor thigh injury in Brisbane. But the left-hand batter has recovered just in time to be part of the fourth Test.
Cummins also confirmed that Head is fit and good to go at the MCG. He is Australia’s best batter in this series, having accumulated 409 runs, including two centuries in three Tests.
Head has been carrying their batting lineup, whereas other batters are struggling to find the form. So it’s good news for the Australian camp that their best batter is up and going.
Read Also:- Most Successful Captain in Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) History
Australia’s playing XI for the Boxing Day Test vs India:
| Player | Performance in BGT 2024/25 (So far) |
|---|---|
| Usman Khawaja | 63 runs (6 innings) |
| Sam Konstas | Test Debut |
| Marnus Labuschagne | 82 runs (5 innings) |
| Steven Smith | 124 runs (5 innings) |
| Travis Head | 409 runs (5 innings), 1 wicket (2 innings) |
| Mitchell Marsh | 69 runs (5 innings), 3 wickets (4 innings) |
| Alex Carey | 162 runs (5 innings) |
| Pat Cummins | 14 wickets (6 innings), 59 runs (5 innings) |
| Mitchell Starc | 14 wickets (6 innings), 76 runs (5 innings) |
| Nathan Lyon | 3 wickets (4 innings) |
| Scott Boland | 5 wickets (2 innings) |
