The India vs Australia 4th Test will be played in Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) starting from December 26. The match will be extremely important for India as all the WTC hopes are hanging on, the series has already been levelled 1-1 after the 3rd Test at Gabba was drawn. Following this Australia has also made significant changes in the squad, Nathan McSweeney was dropped and 19-year old Sam Konstas was picked in his place. Now a confirmation has come on who’ll be playing and who’ll sit out.
Sam Konstas To Make His Debut
Sam Konstas is ready to make his Test debut for Australia against India on Boxing Day and will become the fourth-youngest Australian to do that at 19 years and 85 days. Only a few players have made their debut at such a tender age, including Ian Craig, current captain Pat Cummins, and Tom Garrett. The young cricketer is going to make a mark in this series as he makes this debut.
“We said from the get go, when leading into the summer, that we wouldn’t shy away, and age was no barrier,” McDonald said. “And what he’s shown is an array of shots, the ability to put pressure back on to opponents and he gets his opportunity. We’re really excited for him.”
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Travis Head’s Fitness In Doubt
Even though Konstas has made his debut, the news is not so bright for Travis Head. The left-handed batter, who strained a minor quad during Australia’s second innings in Brisbane, has to undergo a fitness test before the Boxing Day Test. Head did not come out to field for Australia during their short second bowling innings after the rain break, which only furthered the doubts over his fitness. Despite all these, head coach Andrew McDonald is hopeful that Head will be good to go.
“Has he got some things to work through? Yeah, he has,” McDonald said. “So that’s what you would have seen. There’s no concern at the moment. Has he been officially ticked off? I’m not sure. I didn’t see the sort of back-end of his training session there, but I’m pretty confident he’ll play.
Two Changes: Konstas & Boland In The Playing XI
Coach Andrew McDonald said there will be at least two changes to the Australian XI. Konstas will replace Nathan McSweeney while Scott Boland will come in for the injured Josh Hazlewood. But the coach did not confirm whether that would be the only changes, especially with regard to Mitchell Marsh. Marsh had a history of back issues; he seems fit now. He showed signs of recovery even with a good bowling net session on Tuesday.
“If we didn’t pick Scotty here, and I’m not allowed to declare the team, because that’s Pat’s job tomorrow, but I don’t think I’m coming to the ground Boxing Day if Scotty is not the XI. So you can go with that as well,” McDonald said.
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Travis Head’s Net Session Gives Hope
Travis Head had a brief and encouraging net session on Tuesday; he ran and fielded in the outfield. While he did not take part in Monday’s optional session, the fact that he could work in the nets provides hope that he might be fit to play in the critical Boxing Day Test. He had a chat with Head and McDonald following his net session, but McDonald downplayed any worries over the situation. A final decision will be made closer to the match day.
Confirmation Of Final XI Expected On Christmas Day
Confirmation on the final playing XI of Australia, including other changes, are expected on Christmas Day when captain Pat Cummins holds his pre-match press conference.
