MELBOURNE: Australia has finalized their 13-player lineup for the upcoming Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in Melbourne, maintaining consistency after their commanding 360-run victory in Perth.
The Boxing Day Test match is a cricket Test match held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, involving the Australian cricket team and an opposing national team that is touring Australia during the southern summer. The match begins annually on Boxing Day (26 December) and is played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Despite the temptation to adjust the squad, they’ve opted to reduce it from 14 to 13 for the iconic MCG Test match.
Uncapped pacer Lance Morris exits the squad to fulfill domestic T20 commitments in Australia, leaving the team likely unchanged from their successful Perth XI. The trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and skipper Pat Cummins is poised to lead the bowling attack in Melbourne, supported by local speedster Scott Boland as the sole remaining seam option among the 13-player contingent. All-rounder Cameron Green retains his spot, yet Cummins anticipates minimal alterations to the formidable lineup that dominated in Perth. Injuries shouldn’t pose a problem, so it looks like the XI for the Boxing Day Test will remain fairly consistent, Cummins remarked regarding the team’s composition.
“I think all the bowlers are pretty fresh after (the win in Perth). It’s basically the ideal start to the summer.”
Marnus Labuschagne, the star batter, received clearance confirming no significant damage to his finger injured in the opening Test against Pakistan. His retention in the side for Melbourne seems likely. Australia currently holds the fifth position in the World Test Championship standings, boasting a 41.67% win-loss percentage. Conversely, Pakistan shares the top spot with India, both teams holding a 66.67% percentage.
Australian squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, and David Warner.
