'Josh Hazlewood Is Now Available...,' Pat Cummins Creates Suspense Around Team Selection

image-liy5rcqhPat Cummins addressing a press-conference. (AP Photo)

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has indicated that the team has finalized their playing XI for the first Ashes Test against England. However, the official announcement will be made at the toss on the match day. Cummins refrained from revealing the details, keeping the element of surprise intact.

While England has already announced their side for the series opener, Cummins chose to maintain secrecy regarding Australia's lineup. He mentioned that Josh Hazlewood, who missed the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, is fit and available for the match at Edgbaston, which is a positive development for the team.

“We do have a team but we will announce it tomorrow, mainly because we haven’t got around to telling all our squad. The big news from last week is that Josh Hazlewood is now available,”  said Pat Cummins at a pre-match press conference.

Australia is expected to field a similar team to the one that played in the WTC Final. The main question revolves around whether Scott Boland will make way for Hazlewood. However, it seems unlikely that Cummins will alter the winning combination, indicating that the team will likely remain unchanged.

Cummins and the Australian team management will assess the Edgbaston pitch just before the toss on the match day. They will make the final decision on the playing XI based on the conditions and pitch characteristics. A complete understanding of the pitch's preparation will be obtained closer to the first Test.

Australia don’t have many changes to make in the XI and are expected to play the same team they fielded in the WTC Final 2023. The big question as the opening Ashes Test looms at Edgbaston on Friday is whether Australia will play with the same eleven as the WTC final or will Scott Boland be replaced by Josh Hazlewood. However, it looks unlikely that captain Pat Cummins will make a change to their winning combination.

Cummins and the Australian team management will get their first look at the Edgbaston pitch on the match day just before the toss before taking a call on their playing XI.