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Australia retain lineup, Pakistan replace Sarfaraz with Rizwan
Australia named an unchanged XI for the Boxing Day test against Pakistan, but the touring side replaced veteran stumper Sarfaraz Ahmed with Mohammad Rizwan for the second match of the three-test series.
Scott Boland missed out in his home ground as Australia retained the pace trio of captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who bowled them to a comprehensive victory in the opening test in Perth.
Teams are due to be named at around 10am this morning.
Australian captain Pat Cummins talks to Nathan Lyon of Australia during day four of the Men’s First Test.Credit: Getty Images
“We’re a huge fan of Scotty, I don’t think that’s a secret,” Cummins told reporters on Monday.
“It’s very rare that you’re going to get through seven test matches with the same (fast) bowling line-up. There’s always niggles or things that pop up.
“He’s ready to go if anything happens, so I’m sure he’ll play a part at some point.
“The message (to Boland) is always ‘We love what you’re bringing, unfortunately you miss out on this one but don’t change… and stay ready’.”
Pakistan would confirm their playing XI only at the toss on Tuesday but Sarfaraz has been dropped after managing seven runs in Perth.
Skipper Shan Masood said Rizwan, an attacking batter, needed time to shift to red-ball cricket, which was a key factor in playing Sarfaraz in the opening test.
“We think Rizwan is ready and we can give Sarfaraz a little bit of a break to recoup and come back,” Masood told reporters.
“It was more of a tactical decision in terms of the conditions and getting the best out of each player in those conditions.”
Pakistan’s bowling looked depleted as they seek to level the series in Melbourne.
Noman Ali has been ruled out of the last two matches having undergone appendicitis surgery, while fellow spinner Abrar Ahmed will continue to sit out with a leg injury he suffered during a tour game.
With a recovering Naseem Shah still not fit for action and Haris Rauf opting out of the series, the lack of firepower in their pace attack has also been a major concern for Pakistan.
With Reuters
Middle East reference was why ICC rejected Khawaja’s dove logo
By Daniel Brettig
Usman Khawaja’s request to the International Cricket Council to wear a dove on his shoe and bat during the Boxing Day Test was rejected because it referred to “the Middle East” in addition to the universal declaration of human rights.
Three sources with knowledge of negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity because ICC regulatory matters are confidential, confirmed to this masthead that Khawaja’s submission was rejected because it was still deemed to be too political, religious or racial in nature, per the relevant clause of the governing body’s clothing regulations, because of a reference to “the Middle East”.
Usman Khawaja takes part in Australia’s relaxed Christmas Day training session before the Boxing Day Test.Credit: Getty Images
This was despite Khawaja workshopping the submission in detail with both the Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley and the Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Todd Greenberg to find a respectful way to raise awareness of humanitarian concerns in the region.
Your call: How big will be crowd be today?
‘Like an AFL coach’: How injury helped Cummins mastermind World Cup win
By Daniel Brettig
Pat Cummins has revealed how two games he didn’t play provided Australia with the blueprint for World Cup glory in India.
After suffering a fractured wrist while fielding in the final Ashes Test at the Oval, Cummins was still recovering when he flew to South Africa to watch the final two games of an ODI series against the Proteas alongside head coach Andrew McDonald.
Pat Cummins with the World Cup trophy.Credit: Getty
Over the games in Centurion and Johannesburg, Cummins watched the likes of Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa get pummeled by Heinrich Klaasen and company, and with McDonald talked through the plans they ultimately used at the Cup.
In particular, the perspective from on high, which Cummins likened to that of an AFL coaches’ box, convinced him that trying to nail yorkers in the death overs was not a percentage move – the slower ball and bouncer plans that curtailed India in the Cup final in Ahmedabad were born on the high veldt. During the game where Travis Head broke his hand, no less.
Eye on the weather
The weather will be a constant theme in the early days of this match with some rains and, potentially, some storms around.
Here is the latest update, we could be seeing storms this afternoon, hopefully they don’t roll in until after play.
Good morning all
G’day everyone and welcome to today’s live blog as we begin the Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan at the MCG.
I’ll be tapping the keys as the two nations start the second Test of this three-match series, Australia leads 1-0 after winning in Perth.
We will have plenty of coverage for you throughout the day and after play as well.
Please feel free to leave a comment on the blog and enjoy the day ahead.
