Marnus Labuschagne indicated that there will be changes to Australia’s playing XI for the third Ashes Test, which will be played at the Adelaide Oval from December 17.
For the day–night Test at the Gabba, Australia stunned everyone by leaving out Nathan Lyon and going with a four-pronged pace attack. Despite leading the five-match series 2–0, the hosts are likely to make changes in Adelaide, with Pat Cummins looking certain to return to the XI, while Lyon and Usman Khawaja also remain firmly in contention.
“I’m not a selector, but what I will say is that, in the same way they (the selectors) looked at this game, they looked at it objectively and asked what was the best way for us to win with all the information we have on pink-ball cricket,” Labuschagne noted. “What plays, what favours it’s been (in past Tests) — is it pace or whatever that is, or what type of bowler? And then they make the decision.”
Michael Neser was given the nod ahead of Lyon in the second Test, and he justified the selection by taking a five-for in the second innings with the old ball. The George Bailey-led selection committee has taken bold decisions in the past as well. On the Caribbean tour, they left out Labuschagne and had Cameron Green bat at three, with Sam Konstas opening the batting.
Australia will make at least a couple of changes for the Adelaide Test. Cummins and Lyon could return, while Khawaja’s comeback remains in jeopardy given his fitness issues and current form with the bat.
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