Australia have made three changes to their test squad ahead of today’s third Ashes test in Adelaide.
Usman Khawaja has been given another shot to extend his test cricket career after Steve Smith was named out of the squad this morning.
Smith had been named in the starting XI yesterday despite fighting a bug throughout the week, officially being dropped this morning due to reports of dizziness and nausea.
Speaking to Sports Breakfast this morning, former Australian leg spinner Bryce McGain is confident Khawaja will be a good replacement for Smith.
“In these situations before Usman has absolutely shone, he went in as a replacement you might remember during Covid… Travis Head goes out, in comes Usman and he was untouchable for the match,” he said.
“It’ll be a bit of a disruption but then the minds will switch to ‘okay Usman’s playing that role’, and he’s done it incredibly successfully for Queensland, he’s been prolific in how he scored runs there and that’s where much of his high performance has come.
“Number four will suit him, he’ll be fine to go out there and bat for a long period of time and well, it is a reprieve, it is an opportunity.”
Khawaja replaced Travis head in the fourth Ashes test in the 2021-22 series in Sydney, knocking 137 and 101 in both his batting innings to earn him man of the match.
The Adelaide test is set to have a hot start, reaching the mid thirties today and forecast for 39 degrees tomorrow.
McGain says the conditions are gruelling, but they are conditions that often favour Australia on home soil.
“The heat is just so overwhelming and it gets you day-on-day-on-day and that’s why it’s test cricket, this is the toughest form of it,” he said.
“Australia know these conditions inside and out, they’re all experienced players who have been part of Adelaide’s heat and heat all around the country many times over.”
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon are also reintroduced into the side, with Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett making way for the skipper and spinner.
McGain is backing his country, making mention of their excellent longevity and their ability to perform well for a long period of time.
“I think Australia over the longer journey, the longer it goes, the more you favour Australia,” he said.
“It’s not about their [England’s] skill, they’re all really capable players… but they’re blissfully unaware of those defining moments in test cricket matches that make champion teams, and Australia have dominated those in the first two tests.”
Australia are 2 for 94 at the lunch break with Khawaja and Labuschange at the crease.
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