Scott Boland returns as Australia announce playing 11 for BGT 2024-25 2nd Test
Australian pacer Scott Boland makes a return to the playing 11, replacing Josh Hazlewood for the second Test against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The Test will be a day-night, pink-ball encounter, set to begin on Friday, December 6.
Boland made his debut for Australia in the third Ashes Test back in 2021-22. Playing the Boxing Day match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, he wreaked havoc on England. The 35-year-old took 6/7 in the second innings of the game as England were bowled out for 68 and Australia won the match by an innings and 14 runs.
Ahead of the second Test, speedster Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out owing to an injury and Boland was called up to the squad to replace him. The Victorian was a part of the Prime Minister's XI which played against the touring Indian side in what was a pink ball warm-up game for the visitors.
In other news, Nathan McSweeney, who made his debut in the first Test, continues to hold onto his spot and will walk out to bat alongside Usman Khawaja. Beau Webster, who was called up to the squad, does not feature in the Playing 11 for the hosts.
Australia's Playing XI for the second Border Gavaskar Trophy Test: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
Adelaide Oval gears up for second Test of Border Gavaskar Trophy
The picturesque Adelaide Oval will play host to the day-night Test between India and Australia. Earlier this year, Australia played a day-night Test at the Gabba against the West Indies, which the visitors won by eight runs to draw level in the series.
Team India, meanwhile, will be playing their second overseas day-night encounter. They played their first Test match abroad under lights in the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy, where they were skittled for 36 in the third innings. They will be playing a pink-ball Test after two years, with their last Test under lights being played against Sri Lanka at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru back in 2022.