Australia announce playing XI for first Test against South Africa
Captain Pat Cummins, who had been sidelined with a quad injury, has recovered in time to lead the home team, as he confirmed the starting lineup the day before the game. The fast bowler is back in charge after Steve Smith captained the team in the second Test against the West Indies.
Khan Mutasim Billah LifeEditor
Posted - 2022-12-16T12:31:51+06:00
Updated - 2022-12-16T12:31:51+06:00
Australia's starting XI has been announced for Saturday's opening Test against South Africa in Brisbane.
Captain Pat Cummins, who had been sidelined with a quad injury, has recovered in time to lead the home team, as he confirmed the starting lineup the day before the game. The fast bowler is back in charge after Steve Smith captained the team in the second Test against the West Indies.
Since Josh Hazlewood will be sidelined due to a strained side muscle, Scott Boland will continue to start in his place. The Australian team has excluded Michael Neser for Cummins.
Cummins believes the presence of grass on the Gabba track will benefit the pacers. “A couple of the boys said it's similar to what they've seen here in the past. It looks like there's a bit of grass. So we'll see how it looks tomorrow. They'll give it a final cut. It always looks pretty green here a couple of days out, then on the morning of day one it looks a bit different," he said.
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.