Melbourne.Australia has announced its attack consisting of four fast bowlers for the Boxing Day Ashes Test. Jhay Richardson, who was suffering from injuries for a long time, has returned to the Test team after four years, while Michael Neser has also been included in the playing eleven.
Amid expectations of a huge crowd at the MCG, England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Amidst the overcast weather and cold winds, both the teams took the field wearing sweaters. A good amount of grass was visible on the pitch, due to which England preferred to bowl first.
After the toss, Stokes said, “There is good grass on the pitch, the new ball will pay off for the bowlers’ hard work in the initial overs.”
Australia’s acting captain Steve Smith said that Brendan Doggett had to sit out due to the combination of four fast bowlers. Smith called it a “difficult decision” and admitted that he too would have liked to bowl first on this pitch.
“There is grass on the wicket and we are going with four fast bowlers, so I would have liked to bowl first,” Smith said, adding that the batsmen would have to be very cautious.
Regular captain Pat Cummins is out of this Test due to a back strain injury. At the same time, Neser got the reward for taking five wickets in the Gabba Test. Doggett, who had taken seven wickets in the opening two Tests, was dropped for Richardson.
Jhye Richardson last played his Test during the 2021-22 Ashes. After this, continuous injuries affected his career. He had his third surgery on his right shoulder in January this year. Recently, in two first-class matches against England Lions, he bowled 20 and 26 overs, which assessed his bowling fitness. However, his throwing ability is still limited and the team management will keep an eye on his fielding.
The pitch was described by Steve Smith as “furry” (grassy), due to which Australia decided to go without a specialist spinner. Todd Murphy was included in the squad after Nathan Lyon was ruled out with a hamstring injury, but did not find a place in the playing eleven. This is the first time since 2010 that Australia is playing without a specialist spinner in a Boxing Day Test.
England had announced its team for this test two days ago. Ollie Pope has been excluded and Jacob Bethel has been included. At the same time, due to side strain, Joffra Archer has been ruled out of the entire tour and Gus Atkinson has returned in his place.
Organizers hope to break the record of 91,092 spectators on the first day of the 2013–14 Boxing Day Test, which is the all-time Ashes record.
Stokes said, “The first five minutes are the most difficult. After that you just concentrate on playing cricket and the pressure automatically goes away. It is a privilege for us to be a part of such a big sporting event.”
Australia’s playing eleven:
Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Scott Boland.
England’s playing eleven:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethel, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacques, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue.
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