AUS vs IND: Australia make Travis Head call, announce playing XI for Boxing Day Test
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.
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 a bit uncomfortable, we will (manage him), but he’s fully fit,” he added.
Travis Head has been Australia’s main man with the bat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With a hundred each in Adelaide and Brisbane Tests, Head has punished Indian bowlers, denying advantage to the touring team.
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.
Konstas will replace Nathan McSweeney, who was dropped after just three Tests. Konstas will become the youngest debutant for Australia in Tests since 18-year-old Pat Cummins in 2011.
Australia are hoping Konstas and senior campaigner Usman Khawaja deliver a solid opening stand for them in the Boxing Day Test. Australia hope to inject aggressive intent at the top of the order by including the teenager. Konstas enters the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with an impressive record across formats.
In December 2024, Konstas debuted for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League. Opening alongside David Warner, he smashed a blistering 57 off 26 balls, marking the fastest half-century in Sydney Thunder’s history. His innings included eight boundaries and two sixes, playing a key role in the team’s victory over the Adelaide Strikers.
Konstas also featured for the Prime Minister’s XI in a pink-ball warm-up match against India at Manuka Oval. He scored an outstanding 107 off 97 balls, including 14 fours and a six, against a formidable Indian bowling attack featuring Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja. This performance further solidified his reputation as a rising star in Australian cricket.
In October-November 2024, Konstas was selected for Australia A in their series against India A. In the second unofficial Test, he played a crucial role with an unbeaten 73 in the second innings, helping secure a victory for his team.