Australia name XI for the Boxing Day Test against India
Travis Head fit to play, as Sam Konstas and Scott Boland join the side for the upcoming contest against India in Melbourne.
Uncapped batter Konstas will replace Nathan McSweeney, who had captained him in the recent Australia 'A' series against India 'A', while Scott Boland comes in to replace an injured Josh Hazlewood.
The big news is that star batter Travis Head, who had a quad strain in the leadup to the crucial Boxing Day encounter, has passed the fitness test, and will feature in the game.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins confirmed Head's availability while talking to the reporters during Australia's optional training session on Christmas Day.
"Trav's good to go, he'll play. He just ticked off some final things today and yesterday. But no worries about injury with Trav. He'll go into the game fully fit."
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Head's availability is a big boost to Australia, given the southpaw's stellar form in the ongoing series, with 409 runs at an average of 81.8 with two tons to his name.
Australia's XI for the MCG Test:
Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
The series is presently tied 1-1, with India having won the first Test in Perth while Australia followed up with a stellar win in the day-night contest in Adelaide and dominated the rain-affected third Test before inclement weather forced a draw.