Published: Dec 25, 2024, 02:31 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 25, 2024, 02:31 PM (IST)
Australian captain Pat Cummins announced two changes in the Playing XI for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on the eve of Christmas. He confirmed that teenager Sam Konstas will make his debut as he replaced Nathan McSweeney along with Scott Boland who will be replacing Josh Hazlewood.
Cummins also provided an update on their players Travis Head who has turned out to be a headache for Indian team. The captain stated that Head has checked all the required circumstances that were required in the net session.
“Trav’s good to go, he’ll play. He just ticked off some final things today and yesterday. But no worries about injury with Trav. He’ll go into the game fully fit,” Australian skipper told the reporters.
“I don’t think you’ll see too much management of him throughout the game. He just kind of plays as is. Maybe around fielding, if he’s a bit uncomfortable, we will (manage him), but he’s fully fit,” he added.
“It feels like the last 12 months, he’s been in this unbelievable vein of form and he just keeps going on with it,” said Cummins.
“He’s hitting the ball really cleanly. You can see the pressure that he shifts back onto the opposition literally from the first ball that he walks out there,” he further added.
“I’m loving that he’s in our team and I don’t have to try to set a field and bowl to him. He’s hitting the ball as well as I’ve ever seen anyone. So long may it continue.” he concluded.
Australia Playing XI for 4th Test against India-
Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
