Adelaide Oval: Scott Boland is back in the Australian Test team after nearly a year and a half. Captain Pat Cummins confirmed Boland’s inclusion and also announced Mitch Marsh‘s bowling fitness for the Adelaide day-night Test.
Boland last played a Test during the previous Ashes series. He replaces Josh Hazlewood, who suffered a side strain in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth.
The ideal batting positions for Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill
Despite experiencing back stiffness that limited his bowling in India’s second innings, Mitch Marsh retains his place in the team. Cummins assured that Marsh is fit to bowl in Adelaide.
“It’s pretty awesome for someone like Scotty to come straight in,” Cummins said.
India’s team for the second Test, starting Friday, is yet to be announced. However, the return of captain Rohit Sharma, who was away for the birth of his second child, and opener Shubman Gill, who was injured, is expected.
Sharma’s return will bolster India’s batting lineup, while Gill’s recovery provides another opening option.
Boland’s inclusion strengthens Australia’s pace attack, offering a potent combination alongside Mitchell Starc and Cummins.
The day-night Test in Adelaide promises an exciting contest between these two cricketing giants. The match will be crucial for both teams in the context of the series, with India looking to build on their Perth victory and Australia aiming to level the scores. India had won the opener by 295-runs and lead the five-match series 1-0.
Australia playing XI for 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.