Kangaroo playing 11 announced against India for the Boxing Day Test, this was done for the first time in Australian Test history

By News Update On Dec 25, 2024

Cricket News Desk. The atmosphere is ready for the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia. Australia has announced the playing eleven for the Melbourne Test match against India starting on Thursday. Two major changes have been made in the host team. Scott Boland was included in the playing eleven in place of injured Josh Hazlewood, while 19-year-old opening batsman Sam Constas was included in place of Nathan McSweeney. Constas is set to become Australia's youngest Test debutant since captain Pat Cummins took the field against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011.

Not only this, Sam will become the youngest Australian player to debut in the Boxing Day Test. Apart from this, he is set to become the youngest Test player for the Australian men's team in 71 years as an opening batsman in the Boxing Day Test against India. Now it remains to be seen how long this promising player can last in front of the Indian bowlers.

Another big relief for Australia is that Travis Head is fit. He is currently the highest run-scorer in the series. He has scored centuries in Adelaide and Brisbane. He suffered a slight strain in his thigh at the Gabba, but is fit now. Head has scored 409 runs at an average of 81.80 in the first three Test matches, in which he has dominated India. On the other hand, other Australian batsmen are struggling against fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

Cummins said about Head – It seems as if he has been in this amazing form for the last 12 months. This puts the opposing team under pressure. I'm glad he's on our team. India are tied 1-1 in the five-match series after a 295-run win in Perth and a 10-wicket loss in Adelaide. The rain-affected third Test match in Brisbane ended in a draw.

Australia's playing eleven for Melbourne test
Usman Khawaja
Sam Constas
marnus labuschagne
steve smith
travis head
Michelle Marsh
Alex Carey (wicketkeeper)
Pat Cummins (captain)
michelle stark
Nathan Singh
Scott Boland