Australia has announced their playing XI for the fourth Test against India in Melbourne. The team has made two significant changes, with Scott Boland stepping in for the injured Josh Hazlewood, and Sam Konstas taking the place of Nathan McSweeney at the top of the order.
Uncapped batsman Konstas will fill the spot of McSweeney, who had led him during the recent Australia ‘A’ series against India ‘A’. Meanwhile, Boland’s inclusion comes as a result of Hazlewood’s injury.
A key update is that star batsman Travis Head, who had been dealing with a quad strain ahead of the important Boxing Day match, has successfully passed his fitness test and will participate in the game.
Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, confirmed Head’s readiness while addressing reporters during the team’s optional training session on Christmas Day.
“Trav’s good to go, he’ll play. He checked off some final requirements today and yesterday. No worries about his injury; he’ll enter the game fully fit.”
Head’s participation is a significant advantage for Australia, considering his remarkable performance in the current series, where he has scored 409 runs at an average of 81.8, including two centuries.
Australia’s XI for the MCG Test:
Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
The series is presently tied 1-1, with India having won the first Test in Perth while Australia followed up with a stellar win in the day-night contest in Adelaide and dominated the rain-affected third Test before inclement weather forced a draw.
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