BRISBANE: New Australia captain Pat Cummins has confirmed the playing XI for the first Ashes Test match, with Travis Head winning the race against Queensland Captain Usman Khawaja, while Mitch Starc holds his place in the bowling attack.
According to a statement issued by Cricket Australia on Sunday, Pat Cummins confirmed the playing XI at the official launch of the Test series, as players huddled around the crystal replica trophy.
Cummins said it was a “tight one” between Head and Usman Khawaja to bat in the middle order, but Head’s position as the more recent Test representative for the Aussies gave him the edge over the 34-year-old Khawaja.
Australia’s selectors have kept the faith with the ‘Big Three’ combination of Cummins, Starc and Josh Hazlewood that has collected a combined 631 Test wickets.
Starc had been in doubt to hold his spot, especially with Jhye Richardson, who had taken 15 wickets in his past two Sheffield Shield matches – including eight at the Gabba last month – bowling with accuracy and searing pace.
The newly appointed captain said Starc and Hazlewood were likely to still take the new ball, with Cummins keeping himself in reserve for first change.
Meanwhile, Australia head coach Justin Langer gave a strong endorsement of the incumbent pace trio’s preparation, despite the wet Brisbane weather in the lead-up.
“Their preparation has been excellent,” Langer said, adding, “We had some brilliant centre-wicket practice at Metricon Stadium, we always thought that their workloads coming from the World Cup and because we went so deep, that we might’ve had to work a bit harder on that, but they’ve been great.”
While Cummins was happy to confirm a side, England skipper Joe Root declined to follow suit, but said spinner Jack Leach remained in contention to play.
“We’ve got all the options on the table (but) we’re not going to name a team just yet,” Root said, adding, “We’ll have to see the closer forecase and how that pitch changes over the next couple of days.
“However, it’s a great place to play spin. It’s something we’ll weigh up and consider, but we’re not in a position to make that call right now,” he added.
Australia XI: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
