Edited By: Suramya Kaushik
Last Updated: December 25, 2022, 10:56 AM IST
Local Star Scott Boland Makes Place in Australia’s Playing XI for Boxing Day Test (Cricket Australia Image)
Australian team announced their Playing XI for Boxing Day Test with Scott Boland making his entry to the team while Josh Hazlewood set to miss another Test due to side strain
Australia will lock horns with South Africa for the iconic Boxing Day Test against South Africa from December 26. For the same, the hero of last year’s Ashes, Scott Boland has retained his place in the XI with the local star hoping to carry forward his good form against the Proteas as well.
On Sunday, the Australian team announced their Playing XI with Boland making his entry to the team while Josh Hazlewood set to miss another Test due to side strain. After the announcement, Australia captain Pat Cummins addressed the media and answered about the selection of Boland over the seasoned campaigner Hazlewood.
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“We gave Joshy (Hazlewood) every chance, (but) it just got to a stage where (he) more than anyone else felt like he was a little bit underdone.
“It’s a mark of the man really, he himself said ‘don’t feel quite right’ so he kind of pulled himself out of selection.
“We talk a lot about how (as) a team we need a squad mentality and I think it’s another great example,” said Cummins.
Apart from Boland, there are no major changes for Australia. The batting lineup is same for the Aussies with David Warner geared up to play his 100th Test for Australia. Warner will be accompanied with left-hander Usman Khawaja, followed by Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and the Player of the Match from the first Test, Travis Head.
The Test at ‘G’ is an important one for both Australia and South Africa in terms of the race for a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final. Australia are currently at number one in the WTC rankings but they will look to extend their lead. Meanwhile, Dean Elgar’s side will look to bounce back after the first Test match loss.
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Australia XI for second Test: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
South Africa squad: Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Eree, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Heinrich Klaasen, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Khaya Zondo.
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