Ashes 2021-22: Australia name playing XI for Boxing Day Test, Scott Boland to debut

Australia fast bowler Scott Boland is set to make his Test debut in the third Ashes Test, starting Sunday, December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Having already played 14 ODIs and three T20Is after his debut in 2016, the speedster knows the taste of international cricket. The right-armer has played 79 first-class matches, picking up 272 wickets with seven five-wicket hauls.

Pat Cummins has also returned to the playing eleven after missing the Day Night Adelaide Test due to a close contact with a COVID-19 infected person. Steve Smith led the team at the Adelaide Oval in Cummins’ absence. Cummins and Boland have replaced Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser for the Boxing Day Test. Interestingly, Richardson picked up a five-wicket haul in the previous Test.

As per reports, Richardson pulled up sore after bowling as many as 38 overs in the Adelaide Test. Josh Hazlewood has again missed out as he is yet to recover from his side injury. Cameron Green continues to be in the team as a specialist all-rounder.

Australia’s Playing XI

David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

The Aussies have been on a rampage in the ongoing Ashes. To start with, they brushed aside England at the Gabba in Brisbane, winning by nine wickets. The match ended in a tad over four days as the hosts continued their domination at the venue. The second Test turned out to be a one-sided affair as well.

Ever since they won the toss and elected to bat, few very things went wrong for the home team. Smith and Co. declared their first innings on 473 for nine after putting immense pressure on the opposition. Marnus Labuschagne notched his maiden Ashes Test ton, although he was disappointed for not being able to get a big score.

The Three Lions were left high and dry in the game from there on. After being bowled out for 236 in the first innings, they were shot out for 192 in the second. The visitors, in the meantime, have made four changes to their playing eleven for the Melbourne Test.