Usman Khawaja will take Travis Head’s place in the only change to Australia’s side for the fourth Ashes Test against England in Sydney.
Head was ruled out after testing positive for Covid-19 last week, leaving Khawaja to make his first Test appearance since Australia’s defeat to England at Headingley in 2019.
Josh Hazlewood will miss a third successive game as he continues his recovery from a side injury, enabling third-Test man-of-the-match Scott Boland to keep his place for the match, which begins on Wednesday (Tuesday 11.30pm GMT) at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Boland, 32, took 6-7 on debut as England collapsed in their second innings in Melbourne to give Australia an unassailable 3-0 series lead.
“It’s no secret, if Joshy Hazlewood was available, he was going to play, he’s been a brilliant bowler for us for a long time,” Australia captain Patrick Cummins said.
“It would have been a real shame to see Scotty not play this week after his efforts last week. It’s unfortunate for Joshy but I’m really glad (Scott) gets another crack out here.”
Cummins said Hazlewood would probably be fit to play in the fifth test in Hobart from January 14-18.
Official #Ashes Update | Pat Cummins has confirmed one change to the Australian XI for the fourth Vodafone Ashes Test in Sydney.
Batter Usman Khawaja will replace Travis Head ?? pic.twitter.com/dR0EbWydTG
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 3, 2022
There had been suggestions in local media that leg spinner Mitchell Swepson might be awarded his first test cap in a twin slow-bowling attack with Nathan Lyon.
Cummins, however, said he did not expect the SCG wicket to deteriorate sufficiently to make that a viable strategy.
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“I don’t think anywhere in Australia that I’ve played in the last two years has dictated a two-spinner,” he added.
“He’s a class bowler and we’re itching to get him into the side one day. We think he will debut at some stage, most likely overseas.”
Australia XI: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland