England will reportedly make as many as four changes to its side for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, as the visitors’ hopes of regaining the Ashes slip away.
Already trailing 2-0 and needing to win all three remaining matches to regain the urn, Joe Root’s side could look significantly different in Melbourne.
The Evening Standard reports Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow, Mark Wood and Jack Leach are all being considered for the third Test.
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Crawley is likely to open the batting, although it’s not clear who he would replace, given both Rory Burns (51 runs at an average of 12.75) and Haseeb Hameed (58 at 14.50) have struggled so far.
It’s been a horror year for England opening batters, who have recorded no less than 13 ducks in Test cricket in 2021. Burns has been out without scoring on six occasions, a record for an opener.
Whether Crawley is the answer remains to be seen, given he hasn’t played a first class match since September, and his 15 Test matches to date have seen him average just 28.34, a figure boosted substantially by his only century – 267 against Pakistan last year.
Of the other changes, Bairstow is in contention to replace Ollie Pope in the middle order, while Wood and Leach would feature in a revamped bowling attack.
Australian coach Justin Langer this morning confirmed under-pressure opener Marcus Harris would play at the MCG, despite a disappointing series so far.
Harris has made just 38 runs in the two matches, and with an average of 22.19 from 12 Tests he must be close to his final chance.
“He’ll play, no worries,” Langer said.
“This is his home ground, he’s played a lot at the MCG.
“He hasn’t made the runs he’d like to so far, but he dominates domestic cricket, he knows how to play. He’s a fantastic bloke around the squad, he’s got a good sense of humour, he brings good energy to the team, and we know he’s a very good player.
“For him, and for us, we’re hoping he plays well.”
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