Marcus Harris axed for fifth Ashes Test, Usman Khawaja to open with David Warner
Australia has axed struggling opener Marcus Harris for the fifth Ashes Test in Hobart starting tomorrow.
Captain Pat Cummins confirmed the move at his pre-match media conference, with Usman Khawaja to open alongside David Warner.
Harris has averaged 29.83 in the four matches so far this summer, while Khawaja made an irresistible case for retention with a century in each innings at the SCG, as a replacement for Travis Head, who had COVID-19.
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With Head's return, Khawaja will move from number five to the top of the order, a position where he averages 96.80 in Test cricket.
Harris now finds himself at the crossroads after being dumped once again. His 14 career Test matches have yet to see him pass 80 in an innings, while his overall average of 25.29 is simply not good enough for a specialist batter.
Australia's bowling lineup for the match remains up in the air, with Scott Boland to undergo a fitness test this afternoon.
Boland injured his ribs during the SCG Test match, and did not bowl in last night's net session.
Jhye Richardson, who took five wickets in Adelaide, would be the likely replacement if Boland is ruled out.
"We're just going to give Scotty Boland a crack at having a bowl in the next hour or so. And we'll have a team out in a couple of hours," said Cummins.
Scott Boland remains in doubt for the Hobart Test. Getty
"It's a pretty tight turnaround between Tests. We think he should be alright, he's just going to have another bowl in the nets.
"I don't think he'll be getting injections down here from what we've heard. He'll just have a bowl and judge it, if he feels a bit better than he did a few days ago.
"He bowled 30-40 overs after he did the injury and that gives us a lot of confidence he can get through it. Just speaking to him it's an injury that he's confident doesn't get worse with lots of bowling."
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