Australian XI locked in for Brisbane Test

Australia has confirmed its team that will take on England in the first Test of The Ashes this Wednesday at the Gabba, as the side aims to retain the most famous urn in world cricket.

Marcus Harris will open alongside David Warner, whilst Travis Head has been given the nod at fifth ahead of Usman Khawaja.

In four Sheffield Shield innings for Victoria, Harris churned out 147 runs at an average of 39.75, which included a big 137 against NSW. The 29-year-old made his Test debut at the Adelaide Oval against India at the backend of 2018 and has averaged 23.77 in 19 innings, with two fifties.

Head, on the other hand, hit 394 in eight Sheffield Shield innings as captain of South Australia at an average of 49.25, including a recent tonne against Queensland. Since debuting against Pakistan in Dubai in 2018, the 27-year-old has played in 19 games. In his 31 innings, he has averaged 39.75 and hit a pair of centuries and seven half-centuries.

Perhaps most hard done by was Khawaja, who, in 77 Test innings, has hit 2,887 runs at an average of 40.66 with eight tonnes and 14 fifties. In his 40 innings on Australian soil, he has hit 1,854 runs and averaged 52.97, whilst hitting six of his eight Test match centuries.

It was confirmed last week that Alex Carey would be added to squad, following the withdrawal of former-skipper Tim Paine. Carey will be Australia’s only debutant in Brisbane.

The rest of the side sprung few surprises; Warner will open the batting, with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith following him at three and four. All-rounder Cameron Green will bat at six, with the experienced bowling quartet of skipper Pat Cummins, finger-spinner Nathan Lyon, and pacemen Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood rounding out the XI.

Australia XI

• David Warner
• Marcus Harris
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Steve Smith (vc)
• Travis Head
• Cameron Green
• Alex Carey
• Pat Cummins (c)
• Mitchell Starc
• Nathan Lyon
• Josh Hazlewood