Australia have decided to make no changes to their squad for the fifth Ashes Test that will begin from January 4 in Sydney. With Pat Cummins absent, Steve Smith will once again be leading the team against England. Nathan Lyon has also not been included in the squad after he picked up an injury during the Adelaide Test. Todd Murphy is the only spinner that the Baggy Greens have included in their 15-member lineup.
Possible changes Australia can make
With Australia having already won the series, they are expected to make some changes to their playing XI. There are possibilities that Murphy gets a shot at the XI in the place of either Michael Neser or Jhye Richardson. Another change that the hosts can make is replace Cameron Green with Beau Webster, who is yet to play a match in the series.
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Webster is expected to make it to the playing XI in place of Green, who hasn't been able to perform at his best with either the bat or ball in the ongoing Ashes series. The 26-year-old has scored a total of 112 runs in six innings and has clinched only three wickets. It remains to be seen if he will be able to keep his place in the XI in the penultimate match.
Labuschagne's underwhelming performance
Another Australian player whose performances have come under the scanner is Marnus Labuschagne. The batter had returned to the side's Test set-up after a phenomenal run of form in the Sheffield Shield, but hasn't been able to live upto the expectations. He has accumulated a total of just 174 runs so far in eight innings, including two half-centuries. It is safe to say that the 31-year-old has had a disappointing Ashes series so far.
Australia squad for 5th Ashes Test: Steve Smith (C), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (WK), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster