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Australia vs India | 4th Test | Melbourne | Dec 26-Dec 30 | Pre-Match Discussion

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BouncerGuy said:
Not sure what is the use of soo many days in between 2 games... Why???
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Every schedule is done around boxing day TEst and New year test. They can only adjust the dates of other tests. Not boxing day Test. GIven that it is 5 test series i don't have problem as you want the best team taking the field not injured, tired, worn out team.
 
FearlessRoar said:
Scott Boland in Tests at the MCG

2 - Mat
4 - Inns
10 - Wkts
13.8 - Avg
3 - Econ
27.6 - SR
1 - 5WI
6/7 - BBI
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Again Travis, Smith and Boland need to rise to the occasion, otherwise Aussies can be in big trouble. Not sure about how long as konstas would go
 
Devadwal said:
And that's too when Bumrah hasn't supported by others indian bowlers .

I hope Siraj/ Akashdeep/ Jadeja / Rana perform better in remaining tests so Bumrah can use in shorts spell to remain fully fit for all the five test .
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He will be used in short spells. The management knows that well.

Maybe India might play two spinners , Washington and Jadeja , whose job will be to keep it tight at one end.
 
kron said:
Shocking stuff tbh. When will they drop the 'model' Gill?

Kohli is like untouchable.

Rohit is captain and is very lucky.

But Gill is expendable. Doesn't add much.

Also sirah despite averaging 23 I don't think is all that great. He needs to be dropped too.
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No one is untouchable , but you cannot drop 4 - 5 players in middle of a foreign series. That is not how things are done, players will be phased out properly.
 
Justcrazy said:
No one is untouchable , but you cannot drop 4 - 5 players in middle of a foreign series. That is not how things are done, players will be phased out properly.
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Ah yes they are droppable. Everyone ia droppable and can be phased out right now. No need to wait.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
6-7m length angling away from over the stumps. Packed 7-2 off side field with a Deep point at the boundary.
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I doubt that it has never struck Rohit to pack the offside field, Head still manages to score in that region somehow :unsure:
 
RexRex said:
I doubt that it has never struck Rohit to pack the offside field, Head still manages to score somehow :unsure:
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Rohit has never tried it. Not that I remember . Regardless, you have to restrict him to one side of the ground.

Also, seamers - Siraj and Akashdeep have to bowl over the wicket.

Travis is much stronger when the ball is angled in from around the stumps.
 
RexRex said:
Rain is not gonna save India at MCG.
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India won in Melbourne last two times. Rain saved Australia in Sydney 2018 and Brisbane 2003 too. That was a series we might have won. Rain saves everyone not just India. For a moment, I can understand if Saffers are unhappy with rain but not sure about other teams.
 
All four Tests played at the MCG this decade have seen a result. The batting average in Tests in Melbourne has experienced a significant decline, dropping from 34.12 in the 2010s to 25.84 in the 2020s.
:kp
20241223_053934.png
 
Ab Fan said:
India won in Melbourne last two times. Rain saved Australia in Sydney 2018 and Brisbane 2003 too. That was a series we might have won. Rain saves everyone not just India. For a moment, I can understand if Saffers are unhappy with rain but not sure about other teams.
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India wouldn't have won 2003 in Brisbane as Zaheer was injured after his 1st innings 5fer...
 

Used Practice Pitches For India, New For Australia? Curator Breaks Silence As Another Row Erupts​


Since the conclusion of the third Test between India and Australia in Melbourne, multiple controversies have kept fans busy. As the Indian and Australian teams hit the nets ahead of the start of the 4th Test in Melbourne, the glaring difference between their practice surfaces have left fans infuriated. As the pictures from India and Australia's nets sessions hit social media, fans didn't have to work hard to point out the drastic change in the conditions of the two surfaces. While Australian batters practiced on new surfaces, Indians were made to toil on used ones.

Over the weekend, the entire Indian team, including top batters like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, as well as pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, hit the nets to start preparations for the MCG clash.

Reports from India's nets session suggested that the pitch offered quite a low bounce, with even the short-pitched deliveries only rising as high as the batter's waist. Because of the nature of the pitch, India captain Rohit Sharma was also hit on the knee once.

"I think this wicket was for white ball which is why the ball kept low at times. But these blows are common in training. There are no major concerns because of that," India pacer Akash Deep said on Sunday, after the nets session.

Meanwhile, the pitches prepared for Australian players' practice painted a completely different picture. The surfaces looked fresh, offering better preparation opportunities to the hosts.

What MCG Pitch Curator Said On Controversy:

When MCG curator Matt Page was asked about the reason behind the difference in the two surfaces, he said that new practice surfaces are only offered 3 days below, as per the rules.

"We got the schedule of the Indian team well ahead. But we usually give match-centric wickets only three days before the match. It's applicable for all teams," Page clarified.

While the Australian team hit the nets for the first time on Monday, on fresh wickets, Indian players decided to give the training session a miss. Whenever the Indian team hits the nets next, they would also be given fresh surfaces, similar to what Pat Cummins and his men practiced on.

sports.ndtv.com

Used Practice Pitches For India, New For Australia? Curator Breaks Silence As Another Row Erupts | Cricket News

The difference between practice pitches for India and Australia in Melbourne has triggered a new controversy.
sports.ndtv.com sports.ndtv.com
 
FearlessRoar said:

Used Practice Pitches For India, New For Australia? Curator Breaks Silence As Another Row Erupts​


Since the conclusion of the third Test between India and Australia in Melbourne, multiple controversies have kept fans busy. As the Indian and Australian teams hit the nets ahead of the start of the 4th Test in Melbourne, the glaring difference between their practice surfaces have left fans infuriated. As the pictures from India and Australia's nets sessions hit social media, fans didn't have to work hard to point out the drastic change in the conditions of the two surfaces. While Australian batters practiced on new surfaces, Indians were made to toil on used ones.

Over the weekend, the entire Indian team, including top batters like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, as well as pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, hit the nets to start preparations for the MCG clash.

Reports from India's nets session suggested that the pitch offered quite a low bounce, with even the short-pitched deliveries only rising as high as the batter's waist. Because of the nature of the pitch, India captain Rohit Sharma was also hit on the knee once.

"I think this wicket was for white ball which is why the ball kept low at times. But these blows are common in training. There are no major concerns because of that," India pacer Akash Deep said on Sunday, after the nets session.

Meanwhile, the pitches prepared for Australian players' practice painted a completely different picture. The surfaces looked fresh, offering better preparation opportunities to the hosts.

What MCG Pitch Curator Said On Controversy:

When MCG curator Matt Page was asked about the reason behind the difference in the two surfaces, he said that new practice surfaces are only offered 3 days below, as per the rules.

"We got the schedule of the Indian team well ahead. But we usually give match-centric wickets only three days before the match. It's applicable for all teams," Page clarified.

While the Australian team hit the nets for the first time on Monday, on fresh wickets, Indian players decided to give the training session a miss. Whenever the Indian team hits the nets next, they would also be given fresh surfaces, similar to what Pat Cummins and his men practiced on.

sports.ndtv.com

Used Practice Pitches For India, New For Australia? Curator Breaks Silence As Another Row Erupts | Cricket News

The difference between practice pitches for India and Australia in Melbourne has triggered a new controversy.
sports.ndtv.com sports.ndtv.com
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Australian are very desperate to win the series. they are trying all the tricks weather those are legal or illegal doens't matter for them.

:kp
 
Devadwal said:
Australian are very desperate to win the series. they are trying all the tricks weather those are legal or illegal doens't matter for them.

:kp
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Imagine bcci pulling of that trick against Aussies.how the ferocious advocates of cricket must have said " money doesn't bring dignity" blah blah .
 
Cheteshwar Pujara while speaking to a local sports media outlet:

"My biggest question and the reason for a little bit of concern is that the Indian bowling is looking a little weak. Batting is a little better, like the top five didn't do well, but the middle order and lower middle order, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitesh, and even tail enders, Bumrah and Akashdeep contributed with the bat."

"Now, there is a weakness in the bowling, so what will you feed the team? That is the biggest question, because you can't drop Nitish, you can't drop Jadeja, so what will be the team combination? Ashwin has taken retirement, so two spinners, I don't think they will play in Melbourne."

"So, how will you strengthen the bowling? Because the three seamers are very good, but their supporting role, fourth and fifth seamer, Nitesh Kumar is the fourth seamer and Ravindra Jadeja is the fifth bowler. If you add both of them together, the bowling is not that good. We will have to think about that, because if you want to win a test match, then you have to take 20 wickets, and the ability to take 20 wickets is not that good."
 
MCG is the same ground where Kohli goes down the ground...Kohli goes out of the ground happened right?

:vk
 
Pitches for Australia for the practice at MCG

1000057491.jpg
Pitches for India for the practice at MCG
(bellow)

1000057492.jpg

What do you make out of the practice wickets? Australian team will train on fresh practice wickets, while Indian team practiced on used pitches last two days at the MCG .

@Rajdeep @Nikhil_cric @Hitman @jnaveen1980

:kp
 
Devadwal said:
Pitches for Australia for the practice at MCG


Pitches for India for the practice at MCG
(bellow)



What do you make out of the practice wickets? Australian team will train on fresh practice wickets, while Indian team practiced on used pitches last two days at the MCG .

@Rajdeep @Nikhil_cric @Hitman @jnaveen1980

:kp
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That explains the reason why rohit is still playing after getting hit.damn Aussies u pathetic losers.u must have given india a decent chance by knocking rohit out with new pitches :rohit
 
Vikram1989 said:
That explains the reason why rohit is still playing after getting hit.damn Aussies u pathetic losers.u must have given india a decent chance by knocking rohit out with new pitches :rohit
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Rohit has been beaten by Part timers bowler like devdutt in the nets
He is truly finished . :kp
 
Devadwal said:
Rohit has been beaten by Part timers bowler like devdutt in the nets
He is truly finished . :kp
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There is am stats article in cb about his flop show .it shows he is better than some unknown bng opening batter and is hopeless when compared to others.article shows he can't score anything against a good length ball as he is not able to move his kitchen
 

India call up uncapped all-rounder for remainder of Australia Tests​


The visitors have resorted to Mumbai's standout domestic performer to bolster squad following Ashwin's retirement.​


India have named Tanush Kotian in the squad ahead of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Series Test against Australia in Melbourne.
Kotian, the off-spinner, has been named in the side following Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement after the third Test in Gabba last week.
The 26-year-old's off-spinner has 101 wickets from 33 first-class outings alongside 1525 runs.

India's squad:
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tanush Kotian

ICC
 
Australia to name debutant for Boxing Day Test

Hosts select teenager to open the batting in pivotal fourth Border-Gavaskar Test

Australian men's coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed the selection of debutant Sam Konstas for the fourth Border-Gavaskar Test in Melbourne, beginning on December 26.

At 19 years and 85 days, Konstas will be the fourth-youngest Australian Test debutant, and fittingly will play under Pat Cummins, who himself debuted as an 18-year-old in South Africa in 2011.

While Konstas' inclusion was confirmed, the rest of the XI is yet to be finalised, with Travis Head still yet to pass a late fitness test to take part.

McDonald confirmed Head sustained a quad strain late in the third Test while batting, though is tipped to take part in Melbourne.

Scott Boland meanwhile is likely to come into the team as the replacement for fellow pace bowler Josh Hazlewood, who succumbed to a calf strain at The Gabba.

On top of series bragging rights, the two teams are in a tussle for a spot in the World Test Championship Final, held at Lord's in June 2025.

Australia (58.89% of possible points) and India (55.88%) currently trail South Africa (63.33) at the top of the table, with the Proteas hosting Pakistan in their final two Tests of the cycle.

ICC
 
‘They know what is expected of them’ - Rohit reposes faith in batting trio

India skipper Rohit Sharma backed Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant to do well, ahead of the Melbourne Test.

After a stupendous start to their tour Down Under, winning the opening Test in Perth by 295 runs, India lost the advantage soon after in Adelaide. With a draw in Brisbane, they now go into the final two games of the series tied at 1-1 with the hosts.

Three of the side’s batting mainstays – Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant – have had issues of their own during the series. While Jaiswal, on his maiden Test trip Down Under, began with a stellar 161 in the Perth Test, his subsequent scores have dipped significantly with a highest score of 4* in his last three innings.

On the other hand, after missing the Perth Test, Gill got starts in Adelaide but has failed to get to a significant score in the series. Pant has impressed in patches in tough scoring conditions but again failed to get a big one.

Rohit, however, is not too worried about the trio, and believes that each of them have the capability to come good in the series.

“There’s no pressure on him,” Rohit spoke in context of Pant ahead of the fourth Test before recounting Pant’s recent form at home (422 runs at an average of 46.88 in five Tests) and previous record in Australia (624 runs at an average of 62.4 in seven games).

“He's been in good form in India, [and] his record in Australia is good.”

He then went on to club Pant with the aforementioned top-order batters and stated that their basics were solid, and all that was needed was guidance regarding the match situation.

“All these boys, Gill, Jaiswal and Pant are in the same boat. Let's not complicate their process. They know what expectations are with them.

“We need to make them aware of the match process and the small things, we don't need to complicate their plans and thought process. And they themselves, someone like pant, has great expectations from themselves.”

Rohit also backed teammate Virat Kohli, who has accumulated just 126 runs from three games, to do well. “Modern Day greats will figure their path,” the India captain briskly responded to a query related to Kohli’s form.

While Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional showing (21 wickets at 10.9) has kept India at parity in the series, there have been concerns around the form of his fellow pacers. Though his lead supporting act, Mohammed Siraj has taken 13 wickets at 23.92 in the series, the right-arm seamer has struggled in crucial stages of all the three Tests.

“It’s a challenge to handle not just the bowling but the entire team. You come out with the intent of getting the best out of everyone. When somebody is in form, we say that he has to make the most of that form, Bumrah is certainly making the most of it,” Rohit said.

The skipper went on to factor in luck, and explained how the other bowlers including Siraj have done well, without breakthroughs.

“Siraj and the other guys, who are bowling around him, also know that they’ve to step up and get the job done. They are trying really hard, and they’ve been a little unlucky. Lots of plays and misses, certain opportunities have gone down as well.”

Rohit also expressed complete faith in his bowling group, and wants them to stick to the basics.

“As a captain, my message is keep it plain and simple. Keep running in hard, keep doing what you’ve been doing. They’ve done the job in the past, it’s not that they can’t do it now.

“Anyone can have tough games, tough series, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t good enough to perform at this levels. Maybe they haven’t been able to get the big numbers in the last two-three games, but it can happen.

“What matters to me is the attitude, and Siraj has shown great attitude on this tour so far.”

ICC
 
Head's impact will be crucial here. I hope he fires one more time, he is great in Australian conditions so hopefully he can get the job done.
 
As per ci , India may involve washi or prasid in place of reddy.They are also confused about the inclusion of batter/bowler as both departments are not performing.
 
To be fair to India they are 1-1 going into Boxing Day test. This is a golden opportunity for the Indian team to salvage draw or eventually win this series.

India has played 5 innings so far in this series and they came together and performed in only 1 innings which resulted in 1 test match win. Much to introspect for Australia as to how they are in the position they are today and especially the first test and what went wrong.
 
On the street next to my home, there's an uncle who owns a small academy. The nets there much better than those MCG nets... lol.
Pathetic, those look like illegal immigrants' tents.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
This guy's reflex is completely gone. Fitness is not there. IN the name of "intent" he just cowlashes a few balls and gets out. Sometimes he fails to do even that. instead of Rohit, Ashwin is taking retirement.
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Seriously, we can't win this series by playing both Rohit and Kohli in the team.
 
Rohit should be dropped from test team and ask to retire from all forms after the Champions Trophy.
 
Devadwal said:
India likely playing eleven

Jais
KL
Gill
Virat
Pant
Rohit
Jadeja
Akashdeep
Rana
Siraj
Bumrah
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Is it gonna be pace friendly wicket? I think India should play Sundar as well as it may favour spin in 2nd inning and will give enough cushion to batting. Batting will be easy once the ball is old and soft making sure that India bats more than 80 overs.
 
Ab Fan said:
Is it gonna be pace friendly wicket? I think India should play Sundar as well as it may favour spin in 2nd inning and will give enough cushion to batting. Batting will be easy once the ball is old and soft making sure that India bats more than 80 overs.
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Recently MCG pitch has been favourable for pacers so two spinner are not needed .

We need four Pacers who can take wickets and do not release the pressure After initial spell of Bumrah.

We are reaching at end of series where Bumrah and Siraj are not the same bowlers due to workload so better to have fourth pacers instead spinner who is not going to be much effective anyways due to conditions .
 
You know the funniest thing is? A while back I saw a question asked to Aussie fans who they consider a rival. Every single one said they'd lose every test to India if it meant winning the Ashes. We can't name forums but this is an example. So the funny thing is 'BGT'. Only Indians are hyping this term so much its hilarious, trying to make it sound like the Ashes. I didn't even know what this was till this month. Indians are desperately trying to latch onto this 'rivalry' since they refuse to play us, if they did any Pakistan India series would dwarf the Ashes but ofcourse that means PCB getting money which these small minded board and its fans can't do.
 
Pakpak said:
You know the funniest thing is? A while back I saw a question asked to Aussie fans who they consider a rival. Every single one said they'd lose every test to India if it meant winning the Ashes. We can't name forums but this is an example. So the funny thing is 'BGT'. Only Indians are hyping this term so much its hilarious, trying to make it sound like the Ashes. I didn't even know what this was till this month. Indians are desperately trying to latch onto this 'rivalry' since they refuse to play us, if they did any Pakistan India series would dwarf the Ashes but ofcourse that means PCB getting money which these small minded board and its fans can't do.
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More than the Australian fans, I see Pak fans like you getting really desperate to downplay this series for some reason. Ofcourse Ashes is bigger for a common Australian given the history, but this series has been hotly contested for more than two decades now.

And more than that, it has to do with the fact that it's a series better the two best sides in world cricket. Don't know why 7th ranked team fans think they'd have a "rivalry" with us..
 
Pakpak said:
You know the funniest thing is? A while back I saw a question asked to Aussie fans who they consider a rival. Every single one said they'd lose every test to India if it meant winning the Ashes. We can't name forums but this is an example. So the funny thing is 'BGT'. Only Indians are hyping this term so much its hilarious, trying to make it sound like the Ashes. I didn't even know what this was till this month. Indians are desperately trying to latch onto this 'rivalry' since they refuse to play us, if they did any Pakistan India series would dwarf the Ashes but ofcourse that means PCB getting money which these small minded board and its fans can't do.
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Yes , australia ex cricket and current players who Said " BGT is bigger or equal to ASHES" are delusion like some posters here.

Go and watch the Entire thread " Which is the bigger series - The ashes or BGT " where all the quotes by Australian player are written.

Pakistani fans are jealous because India is given so much importance in Australia whereas no one even care about Pakistan team..

:kp
 
Mesozoic said:
More than the Australian fans, I see Pak fans like you getting really desperate to downplay this series for some reason. Ofcourse Ashes is bigger for a common Australian given the history, but this series has been hotly contested for more than two decades now.

And more than that, it has to do with the fact that it's a series better the two best sides in world cricket. Don't know why 7th ranked team fans think they'd have a "rivalry" with us..
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When your supposedly "arch rival" has a rivalry over 20 to 25 years with a country that has given you pounding for 25 years the first reaction is going to be "denial". If anything Australians treat this as a rivalry more than Indians. One reason why both fans are excited to watch this series.
 
Win the toss, bat first, score 350

Win series and win game because Sydney is going to be a draw.

Pretty simple for both skippers. Call correctly and hope the top order doesn't screw up
 
AUSTRALIA 11 FOR THE BOXING DAY TEST AGAINST INDIA:

Khawaja, Konstas, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Marsh, Carey (WK), Cummins (C), Starc, Lyon, Boland
 
Australia will be looking to make few changes. Obvious ones.

Konstas is coming in but he should not have been playing as McSweeney needed more chances but anyways.

Also Boland might walk in for Hazlewood. ALso head's inclusion is in doubts, he is injured I think.
 
BouncerGuy said:
Australia will be looking to make few changes. Obvious ones.

Konstas is coming in but he should not have been playing as McSweeney needed more chances but anyways.

Also Boland might walk in for Hazlewood. ALso head's inclusion is in doubts, he is injured I think.
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Brother jara uper to dekho , australia is already announced the playing eleven for the Boxing day test.

:kp
 
BouncerGuy said:
They have not.. they actually said about Konstas debut.
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They have announced .

Head passed fit as Australia reveal XI for Boxing Day

Australia have received the ultimate Christmas presents – Travis Head has been passed fit to play the Boxing Day Test against India and will be joined in the side by MCG hero Scott Boland.

Captain Pat Cummins confirmed his team would make two changes for the fourth NRMA Insurance Test in Melbourne, with Sam Konstas to debut (replacing Nathan McSweeney) and Boland coming in for the injured Josh Hazlewood.

Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

There were concerns over the fitness of the hosts' leading batter, Head, who was revealed to have suffered a quad strain during the Brisbane Test.

In what was otherwise a leisurely Christmas Day optional training session, Head underwent a stringent fitness test consisting of running drills in sight of where Australian players' families roamed on the MCG outfield.

But Cummins told reporters the left-hander, who also had a short net session, had ticked all the boxes and would be right to face India from Thursday.

"Trav's good to go, he'll play," Australia's skipper said. "He just ticked off some final things today and yesterday. But no worries about injury with Trav. He'll go into the game fully fit.

"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."

Head would have been an enormous loss for the home side - he has more than double the runs of the next best-performed Australia batter in this series.

"It feels like the last 12 months, he's been in this unbelievable vein of form and he just keeps going on with it," said Cummins.

"He's hitting the ball really cleanly. You can see the pressure that he shifts back onto the opposition literally from the first ball that he walks out there.

"I'm loving that he's in our team and I don't have to try to set a field and bowl to him. He's hitting the ball as well as I've ever seen anyone. So long may it continue."

Josh Inglis was the likely standby player for Head, with the uncapped wicketkeeper-batter also among the few Australians who took the opportunity to train on Wednesday.

But his wait for a Baggy Green goes on for now.

Not so for Konstas, who will earn his cap on the biggest day on the Australian cricket calendar in front of a sellout Boxing Day crowd.

Australia have not blooded a player as young as the 19-year-old since Cummins' own debut as an 18-year-old in 2011.

Konstas will be his country's youngest ever opener and it is believed his age gap with Usman Khawaja is the widest between opening partners in Test history.

Cummins, reflecting on his own Test debut in Johannesburg 13 years ago, said: "It's pretty awesome. I spent a bit of the time wondering why, or how, I was there and how it happened so quick. I just remember being really excited.

"I think it's similar to Sammy this week. There's a level of naivety that you just want to go out and play like you do when you're a kid in the backyard. You just want to take the game on, have fun, and not overthink it.

"That's the message to Sam. That's definitely how I felt as an 18-year-old. I was just really excited, and once the game started, you go into game-mode and it's just like any other game."

Australia's captain brought the press to laughter when he recounted: "I remember as an 18-year-old I was thinking, 'I've got a lot more leeway because I was young' - almost publicly - so I almost felt like, if I didn't have a great game, it wasn't my fault - it was the selectors' fault for picking me.

"I was like, 'well, they're the idiots that picked an 18 year old!'

"You're so young starting out your career – it's Boxing Day, it doesn't get any better than this. So just enjoy the moment."

Boland is back after a strong first outing in 18 months in the second Test against India in Adelaide, snaring five wickets when Hazlewood missed with a side strain. The latter has since suffered a series-ending calf injury.

Coach Andrew McDonald joked he would not be able to show his face at the MCG if they did not pick the hometown hero Boland, whose 6-7 on Test debut in the 21-22 Ashes has become part of the iconic venue's folklore.

"He bowled beautifully in Adelaide," Cummins said of Boland. "Whenever he gets his chance, he steps in and looks like he's one of the best bowlers in the world.

"I expect him (to do) much the same. He loves bowling here, he's played probably more than anyone else here at the MCG in our team. He's prepared really well.

"It is pretty awesome that even with an unfortunate injury like Josh has, you can have someone like Scotty to come straight in seamlessly."

India did not train on Christmas Day and will reveal their XI at the toss on Boxing Day.

SOURCE: https://www.cricket.com.au/news/419...tt-boland-boxing-day-test-india-mcg-melbourne
 
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Devadwal said:
They have announced .

Head passed fit as Australia reveal XI for Boxing Day

Australia have received the ultimate Christmas presents – Travis Head has been passed fit to play the Boxing Day Test against India and will be joined in the side by MCG hero Scott Boland.

Captain Pat Cummins confirmed his team would make two changes for the fourth NRMA Insurance Test in Melbourne, with Sam Konstas to debut (replacing Nathan McSweeney) and Boland coming in for the injured Josh Hazlewood.

Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

There were concerns over the fitness of the hosts' leading batter, Head, who was revealed to have suffered a quad strain during the Brisbane Test.

In what was otherwise a leisurely Christmas Day optional training session, Head underwent a stringent fitness test consisting of running drills in sight of where Australian players' families roamed on the MCG outfield.

But Cummins told reporters the left-hander, who also had a short net session, had ticked all the boxes and would be right to face India from Thursday.

"Trav's good to go, he'll play," Australia's skipper said. "He just ticked off some final things today and yesterday. But no worries about injury with Trav. He'll go into the game fully fit.

"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."

Head would have been an enormous loss for the home side - he has more than double the runs of the next best-performed Australia batter in this series.

"It feels like the last 12 months, he's been in this unbelievable vein of form and he just keeps going on with it," said Cummins.

"He's hitting the ball really cleanly. You can see the pressure that he shifts back onto the opposition literally from the first ball that he walks out there.

"I'm loving that he's in our team and I don't have to try to set a field and bowl to him. He's hitting the ball as well as I've ever seen anyone. So long may it continue."

Josh Inglis was the likely standby player for Head, with the uncapped wicketkeeper-batter also among the few Australians who took the opportunity to train on Wednesday.

But his wait for a Baggy Green goes on for now.

Not so for Konstas, who will earn his cap on the biggest day on the Australian cricket calendar in front of a sellout Boxing Day crowd.

Australia have not blooded a player as young as the 19-year-old since Cummins' own debut as an 18-year-old in 2011.

Konstas will be his country's youngest ever opener and it is believed his age gap with Usman Khawaja is the widest between opening partners in Test history.

Cummins, reflecting on his own Test debut in Johannesburg 13 years ago, said: "It's pretty awesome. I spent a bit of the time wondering why, or how, I was there and how it happened so quick. I just remember being really excited.

"I think it's similar to Sammy this week. There's a level of naivety that you just want to go out and play like you do when you're a kid in the backyard. You just want to take the game on, have fun, and not overthink it.

"That's the message to Sam. That's definitely how I felt as an 18-year-old. I was just really excited, and once the game started, you go into game-mode and it's just like any other game."

Australia's captain brought the press to laughter when he recounted: "I remember as an 18-year-old I was thinking, 'I've got a lot more leeway because I was young' - almost publicly - so I almost felt like, if I didn't have a great game, it wasn't my fault - it was the selectors' fault for picking me.

"I was like, 'well, they're the idiots that picked an 18 year old!'

"You're so young starting out your career – it's Boxing Day, it doesn't get any better than this. So just enjoy the moment."

Boland is back after a strong first outing in 18 months in the second Test against India in Adelaide, snaring five wickets when Hazlewood missed with a side strain. The latter has since suffered a series-ending calf injury.

Coach Andrew McDonald joked he would not be able to show his face at the MCG if they did not pick the hometown hero Boland, whose 6-7 on Test debut in the 21-22 Ashes has become part of the iconic venue's folklore.

"He bowled beautifully in Adelaide," Cummins said of Boland. "Whenever he gets his chance, he steps in and looks like he's one of the best bowlers in the world.

"I expect him (to do) much the same. He loves bowling here, he's played probably more than anyone else here at the MCG in our team. He's prepared really well.

"It is pretty awesome that even with an unfortunate injury like Josh has, you can have someone like Scotty to come straight in seamlessly."

India did not train on Christmas Day and will reveal their XI at the toss on Boxing Day.

SOURCE: https://www.cricket.com.au/news/419...tt-boland-boxing-day-test-india-mcg-melbourne
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So head is playing LOL... India would have loved if he stayed injured.. Anyways... GOOD LUCK
 
As per reports:

Rohit Sharma is set to open the innings with KL Rahul batting at No. 3 against Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The Indian team might include two spinners, with Washington Sundar joining Ravindra Jadeja, potentially leaving out Nitish Kumar Reddy.
 
is gill set to be dropped also
BouncerGuy said:
As per reports:

Rohit Sharma is set to open the innings with KL Rahul batting at No. 3 against Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The Indian team might include two spinners, with Washington Sundar joining Ravindra Jadeja, potentially leaving out Nitish Kumar Redd
Click to expand...
 
BouncerGuy said:
So head is playing LOL... India would have loved if he stayed injured.. Anyways... GOOD LUCK
Click to expand...
Have to win against the best to be the best. Would have been shallow if head was injured. Love the challenge in sport - that's why you play the game!
 
BouncerGuy said:
As per reports:

Rohit Sharma is set to open the innings with KL Rahul batting at No. 3 against Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The Indian team might include two spinners, with Washington Sundar joining Ravindra Jadeja, potentially leaving out Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Click to expand...
The sooner the leeches rohit kohli retire or are dropped- the better for Ind. Or else they will keep doing this nonsense because of their batting inadequacies. No passion or obsession left in rohits captaincy
 
So rohit is saying he is not good for opener spot in first 2 matches and played at 6.now he is saying he sucks more at 6 and coming back as opener. What a pathetic loser captain. This is the problem of making an unfit old player who never had any good test credentials as captain .team has to suffer.
 
Out of nowhere this Rohit Sharma is actually playing in "tests" and that too "captaining" at this critical juncture (tough Australian tour). It is a curse for India and they will pay for it (lose BGT series), the sole test we won as a consolation was due to him being not a part of it...

He is thinking that new ball will be easier on MCG and SCG, in middle order uneven bounce may trouble him... In previous matches he was scared of bounce...

India probably never had such a dumb and coward captain...
 
Vikram1989 said:
So rohit is saying he is not good for opener spot in first 2 matches and played at 6.now he is saying he sucks more at 6 and coming back as opener. What a pathetic loser captain. This is the problem of making an unfit old player who never had any good test credentials as captain .team has to suffer.
Click to expand...
When they ask you to bat at number 3 but you know you're gonna open after one over anyways.
:kp

1000057675.jpg
 
Vikram1989 said:
So rohit is saying he is not good for opener spot in first 2 matches and played at 6.now he is saying he sucks more at 6 and coming back as opener. What a pathetic loser captain. This is the problem of making an unfit old player who never had any good test credentials as captain .team has to suffer.
Click to expand...
So why was washy dropped in the first place when he is a good batsman and good support bowler?

Fatso rohit just strolls back.
 
If rohit is opening , he should go flat out odi attack mode. A quick 30 or so. If he bats traditionally , hes going to be 6 out of 20 balls anyway. Might as well attack and get some runs instead.
 
Will be an exciting match. I love the boxing day tests in Australia. So much buzz in the stadium. Today it will be full of Kumar's but still it's a nice occasion.
 
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