Australia announce playing XI for Boxing Day Test against India, Travis Head recovers from injury

Australia is all set to take on team India in the fourth Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Both sides will lock horns in the fourth Test of the series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26. Ahead of the fourth Test, several speculations existed, including ace batter Travis Head in the playing XI. 

However, Travis Head has been cleared to play after his minor injury scare and named in the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test. Furthermore, the board also confirmed that youngster Sam Konstas will be making his debut, with Scott Boland returning to the lineup as well. 

Announcing the playing XI, Australia skipper Pat Cummins took centre stage and talked about Travis Head's fitness update to play in the fourth Test against India. 

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

"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 a bit uncomfortable, we will (manage him), but he's fully fit. It feels like the last 12 months, he's been in this unbelievable vein of form and he just keeps going on with it,” Cummins said.

It is worth noting that Sam Konstas will be replacing Nathan McSweeney in the playing XI after a string of low scores after he made his debut for the side in the Perth Test. With India having won the first Test, Australia winning the second, and the third one resulting in a draw, Australia will look to get off to a good start in the fourth Test of the series.

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.