Melbourne, Dec 25 (UNI) Australia has announced the squad for the fourth Test against India in Melbourne on Thursday with Travis Head fit to play, as Sam Konstas and Scott Boland joining the side.
Uncapped batter Konstas will replace Nathan McSweeney, who had captained him in the recent Australia ‘A’ series against India ‘A’, while Scott Boland comes into replace injured Josh Hazlewood.
The big news is that star batter Travis Head, who had a quad strain in the leadup to the crucial Boxing Day encounter, has passed the fitness test, and will feature in the game.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins confirmed Head’s availability while talking to the reporters during Australia’s optional training session on Christmas Day, according to a ICC report.
“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.”
Head’s availability is a big boost to Australia, given the southpaw’s stellar form in the ongoing series, with 409 runs at an average of 81.8 with two tons to his name.
Australia’s XI for the MCG 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.
The series is presently tied 1-1, with India having won the first Test in Perth while Australia followed up with a stellar win in the day-night contest in Adelaide and dominated the rain-affected third Test before inclement weather forced a draw.
