Pat Cummins has confirmed Usman Khawaja will play at the SCG and his inclusion is the sole change for the Australian XI in the fourth Test.
Khawaja will replace Travis Head, who returned a positive test to COVID-19 late last week.
He has not played Test cricket since the 2019 Ashes in England, however was in strong Sheffield Shield form for Queensland prior to becoming the squad’s reserve batter.
“Travis Head obviously misses, so Ussie (Khawaja) comes in for him and the rest of the team stays the same,” Cummins told SEN 1170 Mornings in an exclusive interview.
Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood has not overcome a side strain suffered in Brisbane, with selectors opting on to show caution with the quick bowler.
It means Scott Boland has held his spot for the fourth Test after his blistering debut in Melbourne, where his second innings spell of 6/7 will go down in Boxing Day cricket folklore.
He’s beaten out Jhye Richardspon for the last position in the XI, who pulled up sore from Adelaide where he took a five-wicket haul in the second innings.
The fourth Test begins on Wednesday, Australia leading the series 3-0.
More to come.