AUS vs ENG: 5 Changes in the England Playing XI for 5th Ashes Test? Here’s the update

AUS vs ENG: In a massive news development, the visiting England team are all set to make a total of five changes to their playing XI for the fifth and final da-night Test match against Australia scheduled to begin from 14 January, 2022 (Friday) at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. On the back of a mindboggling effort with the bat in the fourth innings, England managed to pull off a massive draw in the fourth Test match. England have already lost the prestigious ‘Urn’ and are trailing 0-3 in the five-match Test series.

AUS vs ENG: 5 Changes in the England Playing XI for 5th Ashes Test?

If the recent media reports are to be believed, the Joe Root-led England team are pondering over to make as many as five changes to their playing XI from the drawn Test in Sydney. Sam Billings is all set to make his Test debut in place of Jos Buttler who injured his finger in the last game. It is also being understood that the out-of-form duo of Haseeb Hameed and James Anderson are likely to be dropped for Rory Burns and Ollie Robinson. Jonny Bairstow who scored a brilliant century in the first innings of the Sydney Test match, conceded a blow on his right thumb off Pat Cummins and thus, he is too doubtful for this final Ashes Test.

England Playing XI (likely)

Haseeb Hameed/Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow/Ollie Pope, Sam Billings (wk), Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, James Anderson/Ollie Robinson.

Related: Australia Playing 11 for Ashes 5th Test

Ashes Daily: Anderson responds to Vaughan and ‘elephant in the room’; Poms set for mass changes

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— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 12, 2022

Related: AUS vs ENG 5th Test Cricket Betting Tips

Australia vs England

The Pat Cummins-led Australia side has made a massive changes in their line-up from the Sydney Test match as they have dropped the misfiring opening batter Marcus Harris. After notching up staggering twin tons on his return to Test cricket, Usman Khawaja has retained his spot and will now open the batting for Australia alongside David Warner in the fifth Test while Travis Head is also back in the playing 11. However, the hosts are yet to announce their final playing 11 as pacer Scott Boland is struggling with fitness concerns.

Related: Australia vs England 5th Test Today Match Prediction

Australia Playing 11 (likely)

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland/Jhye Richardson. 

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