Australia named their 13-player squad for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in Melbourne after going one up in the three-match series. The World Test Championship holders have decided to go against the urge to trifle with their squad that walked away with a thumping 360-run victory in Perth on Sunday. This time instead of naming a 14-player squad, Australia decided to leave one player behind. Uncapped speedster Lance Morris dropped out of the squad to return to domestic duties. In his absence, the experienced pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and skipper Pat Cummins are likely to lead the attack while Scott Boland’s presence could further add another option should Australia decide to tinker their playing XI.
Another player who could make the playing XI is young all-rounder Cameroon Green, but captain Pat Cummins believes it will be difficult to make any roster changes. “At this point, I dare say it will be a fairly similar lineup because I don’t think injuries will be a problem. Following (the victory in Perth), I believe that every bowler is fairly fresh. Regarding the XI that will compete in the Boxing Day Test (December 26), Cummins stated, “It’s basically the perfect start to the summer,” as cited by the ICC.
After the first Test, Australia’s only injury concern pertained to star batter Marnus Labuschagne. During the third day of the first Test, Khurram Shahzad, making his debut for Pakistan, struck the right-handed batter on his finger with a rearing delivery that cleared a length. After immediately obtaining medical attention, Labuschagne went back to batting a short while later.
After the first test, the World Test Championship standings saw some changes. Australia is now ranked fifth with a 41.67 win-loss percentage, while Pakistan and India are tied for first place with a 66.67 percentage. Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, and David Warner are the members of the Australian squad.
