Australia Announced Squad For The Last Two BGT 2024-25 Tests

The Australian cricket team has announced the squad for the last two tests in BGT 2024-25. The series is leveled at 1-1 at the moment after 3 matches in the series. Team India has managed to draw the 3^rd test in Brisbane after rain interrupted throughout the game. Now, both the teams will look to make the most of the 4^th test as whoever team wins that game cannot lose the series. Australia has made some changes in the squad for the last two BGT 2024-25 matches, which will be played in Melbourne and Sydney.

The Australian selectors have dropped Nathan McSweeney after his regular failures in the series. Sam Konstas has got a maiden call-up in the test squad after his good performances recently. Today, we will see what is Australia’s squad for the 4^th and 5^th BGT tests. So let’s start.

McSweeney dropped from the test squad

After 3 games, Australia has decided to drop Nathan McSweeney from the Border Gavasar Trophy (BGT) squad. The right-handed batter has failed to deliver in the series as star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah got the better of him 4 times in the series. The best he did in the series was when he played that inning of 39 runs in the first inning of the Adelaide test.

He did well in a few outings during the India A vs Australia A series recently. He batted at the top order and was a makeshift opener in this series. But now, the selectors dropped him for the last two tests.

Sam Konstas rewarded for his performances

The selectors have added a 19-year-old young sensation from New South Wales, Sam Konstas. He is naturally an aggressive player with a positive approach in his batting. His positive intent might be a thing that Australia needs at the top of the order. Their current top three; Khawaja, McSweeney, and Labuschagne are the same kind of player who looks to wear out the bowlers.

Konstas has made his name during the U-19 World Cup. He has done well there and his numbers in the FC are decent enough. Konstas has scored 718 runs in 18 FC innings with an average of 42.23.

The right-handed batter has also done well in a warm-up match against India while playing for the Prime Minister’s XI, scoring an outstanding hundred. In his first Big Bash League (BBL) match, he scored 56 runs off just 27 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes.

These performances from the youngsters will give him much-needed confidence going forward. It’s not going to be easy for him against a top-quality Indian attack.

Head in the squad, Hazelwood out with an injury

We have seen on the last day of the Brisbane test that Travis Head didn’t take the field due to groin issues. While receiving the Man of the Match award, the left-handed batter said he has some issues with his groin, but he will be fit for the Melbourne test. Pat Cummins in the press conference looked confident of Head playing in the 4^th test.

The selectors added him to the squad and Australia would love to have him for the all-important Boxing Day test. He is the only batter from Australia who has been consistent throughout the series.

As far as Josh Hazelwood is concerned, he will not take any more part in the BGT 2024-25. He has an issue with a calf muscle. Scott Boland is likely to replace him in the playing XI. The team has also added S Abbott and Jhye Richardson in the squad as two out-n-out fast bowlers.

Marsh found himself in the squad

There were some uncertainties over Mitchell Marsh’s fitness as well. He hasn’t bowled much after the Perth test and his form with the bat hasn’t been great. But, the selectors added the all-rounder to the 15-member squad for the last two tests. Beau Webster is another all-round option in the squad. Josh Inglis has also found himself in the squad.

Australia’s test squad for the boxing day or last two BGT 2024-25 tests:-

Pat Cummins (C), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head (VC), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith (VC), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.

Australia’s expected changes in the playing XI for the Melbourne test

Sam Konstas is likely to replace Nathan McSweeney at the top. Josh Hazelwood is out with an injury and Boland will probably be a perfect replacement for him. Unless Head won’t get fit until December 26, these two are the only changes we can expect in Australia’s XI. If Head won’t get fit, either Inglis or Webster can get the nod at No. 5.

Australia’s Expected Playing XI | Boxing Day BGT Test, Melbourne

Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.

Conclusion

So this is the squad for the last two tests from Australia. They were at the top of India throughout the Brisbane test. But the weather has its final say in the game. For India, they would be relieved as they could have gone to Melbourne with 2-1 down in the series.

Let’s see who will come out well in the last two tests. What are your predictions for the series? Comment down below.

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FAQs:-

(1) What is the highest score by a team at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)?

Australia holds the record for the highest total at the MCG. They have scored 624-8 at this ground against Pakistan in 2016.

(2) Who has scored the most runs in BGT 2014-15?

Steve Smith scored the most runs (769) in the BGT 2014-15. Virat Kohli scored the most runs (692) for India in that series.