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Australia captain Pat Cummins and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood are set to return for the Boxing Day Test against England as their board have named an unchanged squad for the remainder of the 2021-22 Ashes series.
Pacemen Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser have both been impressive after being called in for Cummins (who missed the ongoing second Test after being a COVID-19 close contact) and Hazlewood (side injury) for the Adelaide Test.
Opener Marcus Harris has retained his spot in a 15-man squad for the remaining three Tests at the MCG, SCG and Hobart (under lights), while Usman Khawaja will remain the only back-up batter in the home team.
However, there is huge possibility of out-of-form Harris making way for Khawaja in the upcoming matches, while emergency reserves Scott Boland and Mark Steketee will return to their states with Cummins and Hazlewood back.
Australia squad:
Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.
Schedule:
- Third Test: December 26-30 at MCG, Melbourne
- Fourth Test: January 5-9 at SCG, Sydney
- Fifth Test: January 14-18 at Bellerive Oval, Hobart
