Ashes, 3rd Test: Wood replaces Broad, Scott Boland makes Australia debut

Australia captain Pat Cummins won the rain-delayed toss and elected to field against England in the third Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. 

With a shot at winning the Ashes, Australia handed a much-awaited debut to Scott Boland. The 32-year-old will partner with returning skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, making a pace trio. Jhye Richardson, who pulled up sore after sending down 38 overs in Adelaide, and Micheal Neser missed the Boxing Day Test. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood remains unavailable due to a side injury. 

For England, Mark Wood replaced Stuart Broad. Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow and Jack Leach were brought in for Rory Burns, Ollie Pope and Chris Woakes.

 “We would have probably done the same to be perfectly honest. We have spoken to some local guys who have played a lot of Shield cricket on a similar wicket and it looks to be a reasonable place to bat on if you apply yourself well. The first hour is crucial always, so we need to start well,” English skipper Joe Root said at the toss.

“I expect a reaction this week. We are a better side than we have played so far and it’s a great opportunity to show what we are capable of, it’s the best stage to do it. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of this Boxing Day Test,” he added. 

His Aussie counterpart said that Scott Boland has been a  seasoned performer for Victoria at the MCG and the team is ‘happy’ to award him with a debut. 

“It was tough sitting on the couch at home, but I thought Smith led the boys really well and they played some good cricket. It feels like a bowling day as there’s some good grass coverage. It doesn’t necessarily mean we will bowl them out this morning,” Cummins said.

England (Playing XI): Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root(c), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler(w), Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson

Australia (Playing XI): Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon