lucky sprite Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Head Declared Fit As Australia Name XI For Boxing Day Test In Melbourne

Australia vs India| Photo: AP/Pat Hoelscher Australia vs India| Photo: AP/Pat Hoelscher

Australia have named their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) kicking off on Thursday, December 26, confirming Travis Head’s availability after the 30-year-old passed the fitness test with a bit of concern over his groin. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)

The Pat Cummins-led side have made two changes, with Sam Konstas replacing Nathan McSweeney and Scott Boland coming in for the injured Josh Hazlewood. 

Head, who picked up an injury during the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane participated in a running fitness test as well as a net session on Christmas Day’s optional training session. 

JUST IN: Australia's XI for the Boxing Day blockbuster is locked in | @LouisDBCameron #AUSvIND https://t.co/uILWQn8JJl

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 24, 2024

"Trav's good to go, he'll play. He just kicked off some final things today and yesterday. But no worries about injury with Trav. He'll go into the game fully fit,” Pat Cummins was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au

The Australian skipper also stated that Head will be ready to play at full tilt, but the side could have an eye on managing him while fielding.

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Konstas To Debut In Melbourne As Head Remains Uncertain

best slots to play

BY Outlook Sports Desk

"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 bit uncomfortable, we will (manage him), but he's fully fit," he added.

After a bit of speculation, Mitchell Marsh finds his name yet again with the management showing faith in him despite poor performances and with Beau Webster named in the squad. 

Josh Inglis, who could have been a potential replacement for Head, was also among the few who attended the optional training on Wednesday.

Much like the men, the women did so surrounded by a sea of orange, with Dutch fans filling Yves-du-Manoir Stadium and making for a festive atmosphere. Also like the men, it did not happen easily.

The 36-year-old said that despite cricket drawing a lot of attention, it just is always special when the Indian hockey team clinches a medal.

Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

India Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Nitish Kumar Reddylucky sprite, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Tanush Kotian