Cummins reveals Australia’s XI for Adelaide Test, calls out Fox commentators
Cummins confirmed Mitch Marsh is battling back soreness but said he is poised to bowl, with medical staff opting to give the all-rounder a few extra days of rest rather than bowing in the nets.
Boland took 0-36 from 10 overs for the Prime Minister’s XI against India last week and hasn’t played a Test since last year’s Ashes series. He averages 13.71 in Tests with the pink ball.
Scott Boland will replace Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s XI for the Adelaide Test starting Friday.Credit: Getty Images
“Traditionally there’s normally a little bit of nip here, which obviously suits Scotty quite well,” Cummins said. “All last summer he was kind of geared up to go and no-one fell over. He’s happy with how it’s coming out, and his rhythm. As a captain, it’s pretty awesome for someone like Scotty to come straight in.”
Cummins’ side are aiming to avoid becoming the first Australian team since 1988 to lose three consecutive Tests on home soil.
Meanwhile, there has been added tension between players and commentators, following suggestions on Fox during the last Test that there could be a rift in the playing ranks.
Cummins’ manager, Neil Maxwell, told this masthead on Wednesday that commentators drew the wrong conclusion from comments made by Hazlewood at a press conference during the match.
Hazlewood was asked a question about how he would prepare for the following day of play, with Australia still needing 522 runs for victory in the fourth innings.
“You probably have to ask one of the batters that question,” Hazlewood said before elaborating further.
In a panel discussion, former Test player Adam Gilchrist said: “That to me tells me there is potentially a divided change room. I don’t know if there is. I might be reading too much into that.”
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan said: “I must admit, I’m staggered by that. Josh Hazlewood is a great bowler, terrific team member. Publicly, I’ve never heard an Australian come out and kind of divide the camp into batters and bowlers.”
Cummins said there were no issue in the change room and made it clear he disagreed with the pair.
“The team’s great. Some of the commentators got that 100 per cent wrong,” Cummins said. “We’ve prepared like we always do and get around each other. It’s a great feeling around the team. We don’t make too much of it.
“When things don’t go right, there’s enough commentators that will support you but also some that will, of course, create some headlines. We try not to take too much notice of it. We just go about our things.”
Australia has never lost a pink ball Test in Adelaide.
Australia XI: Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
Cummins reveals Australia’s XI for Adelaide Test, calls out Fox commentators
Cummins confirmed Mitch Marsh is battling back soreness but said he is poised to bowl, with medical staff opting to give the all-rounder a few extra days of rest rather than bowing in the nets.
Boland took 0-36 from 10 overs for the Prime Minister’s XI against India last week and hasn’t played a Test since last year’s Ashes series. He averages 13.71 in Tests with the pink ball.
Scott Boland will replace Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s XI for the Adelaide Test starting Friday.Credit: Getty Images
“Traditionally there’s normally a little bit of nip here, which obviously suits Scotty quite well,” Cummins said. “All last summer he was kind of geared up to go and no-one fell over. He’s happy with how it’s coming out, and his rhythm. As a captain, it’s pretty awesome for someone like Scotty to come straight in.”
Cummins’ side are aiming to avoid becoming the first Australian team since 1988 to lose three consecutive Tests on home soil.
Meanwhile, there has been added tension between players and commentators, following suggestions on Fox during the last Test that there could be a rift in the playing ranks.
Cummins’ manager, Neil Maxwell, told this masthead on Wednesday that commentators drew the wrong conclusion from comments made by Hazlewood at a press conference during the match.
Hazlewood was asked a question about how he would prepare for the following day of play, with Australia still needing 522 runs for victory in the fourth innings.
“You probably have to ask one of the batters that question,” Hazlewood said before elaborating further.
In a panel discussion, former Test player Adam Gilchrist said: “That to me tells me there is potentially a divided change room. I don’t know if there is. I might be reading too much into that.”
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan said: “I must admit, I’m staggered by that. Josh Hazlewood is a great bowler, terrific team member. Publicly, I’ve never heard an Australian come out and kind of divide the camp into batters and bowlers.”
Cummins said there were no issue in the change room and made it clear he disagreed with the pair.
“The team’s great. Some of the commentators got that 100 per cent wrong,” Cummins said. “We’ve prepared like we always do and get around each other. It’s a great feeling around the team. We don’t make too much of it.
“When things don’t go right, there’s enough commentators that will support you but also some that will, of course, create some headlines. We try not to take too much notice of it. We just go about our things.”
Australia has never lost a pink ball Test in Adelaide.
Australia XI: Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
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