New Delhi: Australia announced a 15-member squad for the last two Test matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on December 20, Friday. The fourth Test of the series will start on December 26 in Melbourne. Nathan McSweeney has been dropped from the team just after three Tests and Sam Konstas has been added to the squad.
The 19-year-old is set to become Australia’s youngest Test batting debutant in over 70 years. He is likely to open the batting with Usman Khawaja in the Boxing Day Test match. McSweeney made his Test debut in the opening Test in Perth and failed to register a single half-century in three Tests. He only managed to score just 72 runs in his six innings and was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah four times.
Konstas scored an unbeaten 73 runs against India A at the MCG and also notched up a century in the warm-up match against Rohit and Co. in Canberra.
“Sam gets a call up to the Test squad for the first time. His style of batting offers a point of difference and we look forward to watching his game develop further,” Australian Chair of Selectors George Bailey said.
Fast bowler Jhye Richardson replaced injured Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s 15-member squad. Richardson has not played a Test match since the 2021-22 Ashes series. Sean Abbott is also back in the squad for the remaining two Test matches alongside uncapped Tasmania all-rounder Beau Webster
“In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, Jhye provides further options in the fast bowling space. It has been pleasing to see his successful return throughout the early part of the domestic summer,” Bailey said.
Australia squad for 4th and 5th Test against India
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head (Cc), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith (Vc), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
Australia named a 15-member squad for the last two test matches against India on Friday. The fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series will start on December 26 at the MCG. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
