Australia announced the squad for the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on Friday with 19-year-old Sam Konstas making the cut in place of Nathan McSweeney. (Full BGT Coverage | More Cricket News)
Pacers Sean Abbott, Jhye Richardson have also been called up alongside all-rounder Beau Webster, with the squad expanded to 15 members.
Alongside McSweeney, the injured Josh Hazlewood has also been released from the squad. Hazlewood, who missed the second Test due to injury, pulled out midway through the drawn third Test match at the Gabba.
Australia squad for last Two Tests
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
Australia's top order has struggled so far in the series and the young McSweeney has had to make way for Konstas for the last two Tests. McSweeney made his Test debut in the series opener in Perth but has not been able to do much. In six outings, he has scored only 72 runs at an average of 14.40.
McSweeney's replacement Konstas is now in line to get a debut for the Boxing Day Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. If Konstas debuts in the fourth Test, he will become Australia's youngest to play a Test as a specialist batter since 1953.
In the bowling department, Australia have added a bit of depth in the absence of Hazlewood. Richardson is making his return to the Test squad for the first time since the 2021-22 Ashes after recovering from a string of injuries. Abott too adds to the fast bowling depth. However, Scott Boland is expected to feature in the playing XI ahead of Richardson and Abott.
The series is currently tied at 1-1 with two games, one in Melbourne and the other in Sydney, remaining.
