With the series locked at 1-1 heading into the final two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, the result of the Boxing Day Test could go a long way towards deciding the series winner.

Nathan McSweeney dropped from Test squad, Sam Konstas called up

On Friday (December 20), Cricket Australia announced a 15-man squad for the last two Tests. The most notable decisions were the selection of teenage opening batter Sam Konstas, along with the dropping of Nathan McSweeney.

McSweeney, not a regular opener in domestic cricket, had been selected for the first three Tests following some strong performances for Australia A and in chief selector George Bailey's words, "Nathan has displayed the attributes we believe will equip him well for Test cricket along with a strong recent record in domestic cricket. I don't think it's a huge adjustment to go from three to opening."

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However, he has struggled against India, with scores of 10, 0, 39, 10*, 9 & 4. Facing Jasprit Bumrah at the top of the order has not helped, but the selectors have now opted to take him out of the firing line.

McSweeney's replacement in the squad, 19-year-old Sam Konstas, has been making waves in the domestic circuit. In October, he became the youngest player since Ricky Ponting to record two centuries in a single Sheffield Shield game, before impressing with an unbeaten 73 against India A and smashing a belligerent 107 against India in a tour match ahead of the pink-ball Test in late November.

Just three days ago, Konstas made his debut in the Big Bash League for Sydney Thunder and broke the team's record for the fastest half-century, off just 20 balls.He also became the youngest player in the competition's history to score a half-century.

On the change, Bailey said, "Sam gets a call up to the Test squad for the first time. His style of batting offers a point of difference and we look forward to watching his game develop further.

"We remain confident Nathan has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level in the future. It was a difficult decision to leave him out.

"It has clearly been a challenge at the top of the order for batters throughout the series and we want to provide the option of a different line up for the next two matches."

If Konstas does make the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test, as expected, he will become Australia's youngest-ever opening batter in men's Test cricket. Ruby Monaghan and Amy Hudson are the two openers in women's Tests younger than him.

Konstas would also become the fourth-youngest player to make a Test debut for Australia in men's Tests, behind Ian Craig, current captain Pat Cummins and Tom Garrett. Interestingly, Craig and Garrett also debuted in Melbourne.

Australia call up extra pacers as cover for injured Hazlewood

The other significant change to the squad is the replacement for seamer Josh Hazlewood, who has been ruled out of the series with a calf injury. Western Australia pacer Jhye Richardson has been called up in his place, three years after his previous Test match.

Richardson has made a strong comeback to domestic cricket this season after an injury-marred career, which includes multiple shoulder dislocations and a side strain. It appears more likely that Scott Boland will make the playing XI in Melbourne, but this is positive news for Richardson nonetheless.

All-rounder Beau Webster and seamer Sean Abbott have also returned to the squad after they were both called up as cover for the second Test.

Australia squad for last two Tests against India

Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head (vc), Steve Smith (vc), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.

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