Ashes 2021-22: Australia name playing XI for Boxing Day Test

Australia fast bowler Scott Boland is set to make his Test debut in the second Ashes Test, starting Sunday, December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Having already played 14 ODIs and three T20Is after his debut in 2016, the speedster knows the taste of international cricket. The right-arm pacer has played 79 first-class matches, picking up 272 wickets with seven five-wicket hauls.

Pat Cummins has also returned to the playing eleven after missing the Day-Night Adelaide Test due to a close contact with a COVID-19 infected person. Steve Smith led the team at the Adelaide Oval in Cummins’ absence. Cummins and Boland have replaced Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser for the Boxing Day Test. Interestingly, Richardson picked up a five-wicket haul in the previous Test.

Scott Boland is in! Test debut at the @MCG 😍

Well deserved, congrats Bolo 👏 #vicsdoitbetter #Ashes pic.twitter.com/c5jxUN0NhI

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) December 24, 2021

As per reports, Richardson pulled up sore after bowling as many as 38 overs in the Adelaide Test. Josh Hazlewood has again missed out as he is yet to recover from his side injury. Cameron Green continues to be in the team as a specialist all-rounder.

Australia’s Playing XI

David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland