Cricket Australia have announced their squad for the third Test match of the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy against India. As everyone expected after a heavy defeat in the hands of India at MCG, home team have decided to axe their out-of-form opener Joe Burns for the SCG Test match. Burns scored 63 runs in 4 innings including an unbeaten 51* in Adelaide. In the other 3 innings, he scored just 12 runs including a Duck in the first innings at MCG.
David Warner sustained a groin injury during the ODI series against India and missed an ODI, three T20Is and two Tests since then, all against India in the ongoing tour. Will Pucovski, on the other hand, was hit on his head during practice games against India A and was since then ruled out owing to concussion symptoms. Australia are hoping that both these players would be fit for the third Test match in a bid to take lead in the 4-match series which is currently level 1-1.
With Burns dropped, Warner will get his place as opener for the third Test if he passes all the fitness tests before the game. While the position of Pucovski in the playing XI is much debated now. Australia’s other opener in the first two Tests Matthew Wade did not do much wrong and cannot be sacked just to hand a young player his Test debut. On the other hand, Pucovski has the experience of playing in the middle order at the first-class level as well which becomes a worrying factor for the out-of-form Travis Head!
Meanwhile, pacer Sean Abbott recovered from the calf strain and has been named in the squad for the next two Test matches against India. If Australia think of including Abbott in the playing XI for SCG Test match, Cameron Green would have to make way as rest of the bowling unit looks solid for the hosts. However, Green proved his worth with the bat in their second innings at MCG which might help him retain his place in the SCG Test match.
Having lost the second Test match, Australia might not make too many changes for the SCG Test in a bid to gain momentum in the Test series. Home team Australia won the first Test match at Adelaide Oval while India won the second Test match at MCG. Incidentally, the winning margin in both the games were ‘8 wickets’. The third Test match is scheduled to be played at Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney beginning from Jan 07.
Australia Test squad (for 3rd & 4th India Tests): Tim Paine (c), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner
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