Cricket Australia likely to axe star player from Boxing-Day Test squad after batter could only score 72 runs in first three games

Australia squad for 4th Test: The Australian team is prepared to make a significant change for the next game. The announcement is anticipated to be made official after the squad for the Boxing Day Test is announced.

Sports Tak

• Fri • 20 Dec 2024

Australian cricket team in frame

Highlights:

Border-Gavaskar Trophy is currently levelled at 1-1.

The Boxing Day Test will be played in Melbourne.

Australia likely to make big change in playing XI.

India vs Australia squad for 4th Test : Australia and India are competing fiercely in the 2024–25 Border Gavaskar Trophy. After three games, the series is 1-1. For the Boxing Day Test, the series' action will move to the Melbourne Cricket Ground. According to the most recent report, the Australian team is prepared to make a significant change for the next game. Nathan McSweeney's ascent was a dream, but it appears that the dream is ending for the young star.

According to reports from CODE Sports and The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia is expected to fire the South Australian captain. When the squad is revealed on Friday afternoon, the announcement is anticipated to be made official.

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Who can replace McSweeney?

Nathan McSweeney had not opened in a first-class match before being assigned to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. McSweeney has not been able to replicate his home performances on the international stage since making his debut in the game's purest format. McSweeney has only amassed 72 runs at an average of 14.40 in the six innings he has batted so far.

The 19-year-old Sam Konstas is the front-runner to replace McSweeney, if reports are to be believed. Additionally, it is thought that the rising star may also make his potential debut MCG Test.

Demands to include Sam Konstas are intensifying after he scored an incredible 20-ball half-century for Sydney Thunder on Tuesday night in his BBL debut. That came after he scored a century against an Indian assault that included every Test bowler except Bumrah.

Josh Inglis, who was designated as the series' reserve batter, may potentially get a chance in addition to Konstas. According to the reports, Beau Webster may also be discussed along with potential batting line-up adjustments. Scot Boland is expected to replace injured Josh Hazlewood when Pat Cummins and the Australian selectors announce their team for the MCG Test on Friday afternoon.