Pacer Scott Boland is set to make his return to Test cricket after an 18-month hiatus, replacing the injured Josh Hazlewood in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India in Adelaide. Australia captain Pat Cummins revealed the playing XI ahead of the pink-ball Test, which begins on December 6.
Boland, who last played for Australia during the Ashes 2023, steps in following Hazlewood’s injury sustained in the Perth Test. Cummins expressed his confidence in Boland, describing his inclusion as “pretty awesome” during the pre-match press conference.
The Adelaide Test also marks a key moment for Mitchell Marsh, who has been cleared to bowl after experiencing back stiffness in the previous game. Marsh, despite being restricted in India’s second innings in Perth, retains his place in the XI and is expected to play a crucial role with both bat and ball.
India, on the other hand, is yet to finalize their lineup. The team enters the Adelaide Test with an edge after a dominant 295-run victory in Perth, led by Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional bowling and leadership. However, memories of the disastrous 2020 pink-ball Test in Adelaide linger, where India registered their lowest-ever Test score of 36 runs. In that match, a fiery spell from Cummins (4/21) and Hazlewood (5/8) had decimated the Indian batting order.
The second Test promises to be a pivotal encounter in the series, with both teams aiming to assert dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia Playing XI for the Second Test: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.