Australia announced their playing XI for the fourth Test on Christmas, confirming Travis Head’s availability and teenager Sam Konstas’s debut. In a big boost to their hopes of dominating the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Head was passed fit after concerns over his groin injury.
Travis Head picked up an injury during the third Test in Brisbane and the superstar batter conceded that he had been feeling gingerly about his quad. He participated in a running fitness test and net session on Christmas Day, with captain Pat Cummins confirming his availability.
“Trav (Head) is 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,” Cummins said during his interaction with the press on Wednesday morning.
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Cummins also confirmed that Head will be ready to go full throttle on the field, but Australia will be keen on managing him while fielding.
“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.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh was also confirmed in the playing XI with the Australian team management backing the all-rounder once again. Despite poor outings and speculation of an injury, Australia have picked the senior all-rounder despite the presence of Beau Webster in the side.
AUSTRALIA PLAYING 11 FOR BOXING DAY TEST
Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
As expected, Australia made two changes, including a forced one, to their XI, bringing back Scott Boland to replace injured Josh Hazlewood.
19-year-old Sam Konstas is set to become the youngest-ever Australian opener when he makes his debut on Thursday.
