Aus Playing XI: Australia might be forced to continue without the services of pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood & Mitchell Starc in the upcoming Boxing Day Test. The two players are subject to fitness ahead of the third Ashes Test in Melbourne, said head coach Justin Langer.Follow Ashes 2021 live updates on InsideSport
Starc had pushed himself for 27 overs in the second innings in Adelaide despite battling through a rib issue while Josh Hazlewood had missed the pink-ball Test due to a side strain.
A big Aussie selection clue as Josh Hazlewood fails to join his teammates at training this morning.
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— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 24, 2021
Aus Playing XI: Pat Cummins set to return but Mitchell Starc & Josh Hazlewood subject to fitness for Boxing Day Test- Follow LIVE updates
Australia have brought in Victoria’s Scott Boland with Josh Hazlewood still doubtful for the Boxing Day Test. Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser, who had replaced Hazlewood & Cummins, would also be monitored for their fitness.
Meanwhile, Australia captain Pat Cummins is all set to return to the playing XI after completing seven days of isolation after getting in contact with COVID positive case last week.
Aus Playing XI: Justin Langer hopeful that Mitchell Starc will be fit for MCG Test.
“It’s just his rib, and I’ve never been a fast bowler but a lot of bowlers talk about when they come back to Test cricket they jam down on that rib area,” Langer told Fox Cricket.
“He should be fine, he’s tough. If he’s not right, we’ll look at it, but at this stage there’s no indication he won’t be playing in the next Test match,” he added.
Hazlewood has rejoined the squad for his rehabilitation.
“We’ve got to wait and see how Josh Hazlewood pulls up and also how Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson pull up. Both Michael and Jhye did a great job in the last Test match. We’ve got back-to-back matches, it’s a tough series, we all know that five Test matches are pretty much in a row,” he further stated.
“We’ll manage our bowlers as best we can and we’ll put our fittest and most ready to perform out on the park in Melbourne,” Langer signed off.
Harris’ recent form in the ongoing Ashes has come under the scanner but Langer said the batter will play the third Test.
“He’ll play in the Test, no worries about that. This is his home ground. He’s played a lot at the MCG. He hasn’t made the runs he’d like to so far, but he dominates domestic cricket,” ICC quoted Langer as saying.
“So he knows that he knows how to play. He’s a fantastic bloke around the squad … And we know he’s a very good player. For him and for us we’re hoping he plays well and gets a good partnership with Davey Warner in this Boxing Day Test match,” he added.
Aus Playing XI
- David Warner
- Marcus Harris
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Cameron Green
- Alex Carey
- Pat Cummins
- Mitchell Starc/ Jhye Richardson/ Michael Neser
- Josh Hazlewood/ Scott Boland
- Nathan Lyon
- Pat Cummins is all set to return to the playing XI to boost Australia’s bowling department.
- Josh Hazlewood is unlikely to regain fitness ahead of the Boxing Day Test with Scott Boland in line for Test debut.
- A final decision on Mitchell Starc fitness will be taken on matchday.
- Marcus Harris gets a go-ahead despite failing to impress in the last three out of his 4 innings.
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Aus Playing XI: Pat Cummins set to return but Mitchell Starc & Josh Hazlewood subject to fitness for Boxing Day Test- Follow LIVE
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