Carey-Starc included as Australia announce playing XI for Brisbane Test
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Australia captain Pat Cummins announced their playing eleven for the opening Ashes Test, which is starting from Wednesday, December 8 at The Gabba in Brisbane.
Alex Carey has been named in the XI and will make his debut, who has already played 45 ODIs and 38 T20Is for Aussies. The southpaw has replaced Tim Paine, who has taken an indefinite break from cricket after the infamous sexting scandal.
Travis Head was picked for the batting spot ahead of Queensland veteran Usman Khawaja. Head made his Test debut against Pakistan in Dubai in 2018 and played most of the Ashes series the following year.
“It was a tight one. They are both really good options. Experience is great from Ussie and we feel really lucky to have that in the squad, but Trav’s been playing a lot for us the last couple of years," said Cummins.
The 34-year-old Khawaja's last Test was against England in the Headingley Test in 2019, made famous by Ben Stokes' match-winning innings of 135.
Veteran left-arm quick Mitchell Starc has been named for the first match.
Australia’s XI
Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
