In the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, stand-in captain Steve Smith will continue to lead the Australian pack. Cummins had missed out on the first two Test matches of the Ashes series after he failed to recover in time due to a lower back injury
Steve Smith (Pic: File Pic)
Ahead of the fifth and final Test match of the ongoing Ashes series against England, Australia announced its 15-member squad, cricket.com.au confirmed.
In the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, stand-in captain Steve Smith will continue to lead the Australian pack. Cummins had also missed out on the first two Test matches of the Ashes series after he failed to recover in time due to a lower back injury.
The pacer then returned to the side and featured at the Adelaide Oval, where he led the Aussies to victory and retained the elusive title.
The Australian management has decided to provide him with the rest for the remainder of the series as a part of his workload management. The pacer will soon make his appearance in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, as he has been named in Australia's provisional squad for the marquee event.
On the other hand, veteran opening batsman Usman Khawaja has retained his place in Australia's squad for the Sydney clash.
In the ongoing Ashes series, 39-year-old Khawaja started as Australia's long-standing opener. During the second innings of the Perth Test, he did not go out to bat after he suffered back spasms. Khawaja missed the Brisbane Test and was initially left out for Adelaide, only being recalled to bat at No 4 because of Steven Smith's illness, who was ruled out of the Test.
During the fourth Ashes Test against England, Khawaja played in the middle order with Travis Head and Jack Weatherald. The left-handed batter made 29 off 52 balls and a two-ball duck across both innings.
In the ongoing Ashes, Khawaja has made 153 runs in three matches and five innings at an average of 30.60, including one fifty, which came in Adelaide.
The fifth and final Test match of the ongoing Ashes series will be played from January 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia's squad for the fifth Test match of the Ashes series:
Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
(With ANI Inputs)
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