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Australia have named their playing XI for the first Test against South Africa, scheduled to start on Saturday (December 17) at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Skipper Pat Cummins, who sat out of Australia’s second Test against West Indies due to a quad strain, has been deemed fit for the upcoming match.
The fast bowler will take the captaincy duties back from top-order batter Steve Smith who led the Aussies in Cummins’ absence.
With Josh Hazlewood having already been ruled out of the opening Test versus South Africa due to a side strain, Scott Boland has retained his spot in the starting XI. Michael Neser is the player to make way for the Australia captain.
The batting line-up remains unchanged, with the opening pair of David Warner and Usman Khawaja followed by Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith – the number 1 and number 2 batters in the latest released ICC Men’s Test Rankings.
Travis Head and Cameron Green comes in at No.5 and No.6, while wicketkeeper Alex Carey retains his spot.
Nathan Lyon is the only spinner in the side.
Australia’s playing XI for first WTC23 Test:
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
