IND vs AUS: Australia Announced It’s Playing 11 For Boxing Day Test

Australia’s historic playing XI for the IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test.

IND vs AUS: Cricket Australia has announced its playing XI for the fourth Test match against India, which is going to begin on Thursday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This will be a significant match in Australian cricket history as there are two massive inclusions in the side. Most notably, 19-year-old Sam Constas will feature for the very first time at Test levels, signaling an important marker for youth cricket in the country. Also returning is Travis Head who was available after recently recovering from an injury boost for batting.

Changes made in playing 11 for the IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test

IND vs AUS: Australia Announced It's Playing 11 For Boxing Day Test
IND vs AUS: Australia Announced It’s Playing 11 For Boxing Day Test

 

One of the most exciting developments for Australia is that Sam Constas is included in the playing XI. The 19-year-old has been given his Test debut against India, making him the youngest Australian to debut in a Boxing Day Test match. This marks a historic moment, as Constas will also become the youngest Australian Test debutant in 71 years.

He is going to open and his inclusion has created much excitement, as he replaces Nathan McSweeney in the squad. Constas is supposed to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja. It is a significant opportunity for the teenager who is going to face India’s great bowling lineup, which is considered to be one of the most iconic Tests in the cricket calendar. His debut will be under the spotlight, with fans and pundits alike keen to see how he fairs against India’s elite pacers and spinners.

Travis Head Returns to Full Fitness

IND vs AUS: Australia Announced It's Playing 11 For Boxing Day Test
IND vs AUS: Australia Announced It’s Playing 11 For Boxing Day Test

 

Another key update for Australia is the return of Travis Head, who has been struggling with a minor thigh injury since the third Test in Brisbane. Head, who is the top run-scorer of the series, with 409 runs at an impressive average of 81.80, has been in remarkable form throughout the ongoing series. His centuries in Adelaide and Brisbane have been a significant highlight, and his recovery comes as a huge relief for Australia, especially given their recent struggles with batting consistency.

The dominance of Head against the Indian bowling, more importantly, the pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, has been instrumental for Australia so far. In a series currently reading 1-1, Head’s middle-order play could turn out to be the decisive factor for balance against the Indian counterattacks.

Australia captain, Pat Cummins, appreciated the form his head was in, with the comment that Head “has been in incredible form for the last 12 months and consistently put pressure on opposition sides through his attacking and match-winning cricket.”

Scott Boland Steps In For Josh Hazlewood

IND vs AUS: Australia Announced It's Playing 11 For Boxing Day Test
IND vs AUS: Australia Announced It’s Playing 11 For Boxing Day Test

 

In another major decision, Australia has decided to include Scott Boland instead of the injured Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood has been suffering from a recurring injury, and his non-inclusion in the playing XI has given Boland the chance to express himself. Boland, who is known for his consistency and the ability to swing the ball, will now get the chance to enhance the depth of Australia’s pace attack along with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Mitchell Marsh.

The inclusion of Boland will provide the bowling unit with new life, and his experience with the conditions in Australia can prove to be vital to curb India’s potent batting line-up. Hazlewood being out of action, it will be exciting to see how the bowlers from Australia go about their business, especially when one of the experienced pacers is missing.

The Complete Playing XI of Australia for IND vs AUS

With these changes in place, Australia’s final playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against India is as follows:

– Usman Khawaja
– Sam Constas
– Marnus Labuschagne
– Steve Smith
– Travis Head
– Mitchell Marsh
– Alex Carey (wicketkeeper)
– Pat Cummins (captain)
– Mitchell Starc
– Nathan Lyon
– Scott Boland

A Crucial Test in the IND vs AUS Series

IND vs AUS: Australia Announced It's Playing 11 For Boxing Day Test
IND vs AUS: Australia Announced It’s Playing 11 For Boxing Day Test

 

The fourth IND vs AUS Test at the MCG is going to be a very important game in the series, which is currently tied 1-1 after India won the Perth Test by 295 runs and Australia won by 10 wickets in Adelaide. The third Test played in Brisbane, ended in a draw due to rain, so this Boxing Day Test is very important for both teams. Australia will be looking to take the opportunity of having a home advantage and win in front of their home crowd.

With Sam Constas making his debut, Travis Head coming back to full fitness, and Scott Boland replacing the injured Hazlewood, the team looks fresh and dynamic in this all-important encounter. The result of this match could be a crucial factor in determining the fate of the five-match series, as both teams vie for dominance in this high-profile game.

Looking Ahead

As the IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test gets underway, everyone will be looking to see if Sam Constas can deliver on the hype surrounding his debut and if Travis Head can keep up his blazing form. Australia will need to find a way to navigate India’s top-class bowling attack, which has been very effective in the series thus far.

With the pressure mounting on both teams and a history-making debut in the mix, the match is sure to be a real thriller. The Melbourne Cricket Ground will surely be the perfect backdrop for what may well be a defining moment in this riveting series.

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