Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins has confirmed that veteran southpaw Usman Khawaja will replace in-form Travis Head, who tested COVID-19 positive, for the fourth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Khawaja, meanwhile, will bat at No.5 in his first Test since the 2019 Ashes tour. On the other hand, Josh Hazlewood’s lingering side injury will see him miss a third straight match while Jhye Richardson is also not 100 per cent fit, meaning Scott Boland will feature again following his MCG heroics.

“It’s no secret that if Joshy Hazlewood was available then he was going to play,” Cummins told reporters. “He’s been just a brilliant bowler for us for a long period of time. We gave Josh every chance we could, just felt like he couldn’t bowl at full tilt yesterday. We’re still hoping he’ll be right for Hobart,” the Australia captain added. 

Boland stunned England when he ripped the heart of Joe Root & Co in their second innings in Melbourne last week, snaring 6-7, helping Australia secure a quick win.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Swepson’s wait for a Test debut will go on despite calls for the leg-spinner to play alongside Nathan Lyon at the SCG, with wet weather and a less spin-friendly surface than in previous years counting against him.

Australia have already wrapped up the series winning the first three Tests and will be eyeing to complete a whitewash.

Australia Playing XI: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

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