ENG vs AUS 4th Ashes Test: Australia announce squad; big name axed

Smith is all set to come back in the team replacing Usman Khawaja, whereas fast bowler James Pattinson has been ruled out.

Australian cricket team has announced a 12-members squad for the fourth Ashes test on Monday. Due to consistent bad performance, Usman Khawaja has been dropped from the squad for the next test. The Australian team has made two major changes in the playing 11 team which resulted in a one-wicket loss in Leeds.

Smith’s comeback for the fourth test

Smith is all set to come back in the team replacing Usman Khawaja, whereas fast bowler James Pattinson has been ruled out. Australian four fast bowlers- Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Starc and Peter Siddle, are expected to play in the team but their final selection in the playing XI will be determined by the pitch conditions at Old Trafford where the next Ashes test will take place.

A clash between Starc and Siddle to play in the XI

Siddle has bagged five wickets in the two Tests he played in this season o Ashes and is looking pretty confident to play in the next test while Starc captured seven wickets in the opening match at Derby.

In an interview, Siddle said, “I don’t think I can be any more ready than I am after the amount of cricket I have played this summer here in England for Essex, the practice game and the first couple of Tests.

“I don’t think I can be any more ready than I am after the amount of cricket I have played this summer here in England for Essex, the practice game and the first couple of Tests.”

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Whereas the 34-year-old fast bowler, Starc was spotted on Monday, inspecting the ground where the next test is scheduled to be played.

“(The pitch) looks pretty similar to what I’ve always played on” he said.

“The first two, three days there is always a bit of seam around. Fast bowlers have had a lot of success up here also.

“I think it’s just a good cricket wicket,” he added further.

Australia XII member squad

David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matt Wade, Tim Paine (c, wk), Pat Cummins, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.