Australia have made three changes to their XI for the third Ashes Test at Headingley following their victory at Lord’s.

Australia came into the third Test at Headingley with the knowledge that their premier spinner Nathan Lyon would not be available for selection for the rest of the series after the calf injury he sustained in the second Test at Lord’s.

However, they have been struck by another injury blow as Cameron Green has been ruled out of the third Test with a low-grade hamstring strain. Australia have opted to bring Mitchell Marsh in his place as a like-for-like replacement.

Marsh last played a Test match four years back at the Kia Oval during Australia’s last Test tour of England. In the first innings of that Test, he took 5-46, his only Test five-for so far.

Apart from the two forced injury-related replacements, Australia have made another change to their XI. They have rested Josh Hazlewood and have brought back Scott Boland.

Hazelwood played the first two Tests of the series and took eight wickets at an average of 32.50. This marked the first instance of Hazlewood playing two consecutive Tests since the 2020/21 season. In a bid to look after his workload, the Australian management has decided to give him a break.

Boland, who played in the first Test of the series at Edgbaston, is back in the XI. He had a good outing in the World Test Championship Final against India where he picked five wickets across the two innings. In the first Ashes Test, however, he returned figures of 2-147 and went at 5.65 runs per over.

Lyon’s replacement, Todd Murphy, will be making his Ashes debut, following his Test career debut against India earlier this year. Australia have displayed a lot of faith in the young off-spinner by not naming a backup spinner for Lyon in the squad after he was ruled out.

The rest of the XI remains same. Steve Smith, who won the Player of the Match award in the last test at Lord’s, will be playing in his 100th Test match, and will hope to further improve his stellar record in England.

Australia XI for the Headingley Test: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Todd Murphy, Scott Boland.

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