Ashes 2021-22: England to unleash Broad in Sydney Test, Usman Khawaja replaces Travis Head for Australia

England have announced their playing XI for the fourth Ashes Test due to start in Sydney on Wednesday, (January 5). The visitors have made one change to the squad and brought in Stuart Broad in place of Ollie Robinson. Veteran pacer Broad has only played one Test in the ongoing Ashes series. He managed to pick two wickets in the second ball Pink-ball Test in Adelaide. Meanwhile, Robinson has played all three Test matches. England have already lost the Ashes after their successive defeats in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Melbourne. The Joe Root-led side have hardly managed to compete in the three games.

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The biggest problem for the visitors has been their batting. Barring skipper Root and Dawid Malan, the other batters have not managed to post substantial scores in the three games so far. The opening batters Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns have failed miserably. Even Zak Crawley, who managed to come in place of Burns, failed to get going in the third Boxing Day Test match. England would be hoping for some better contributions from their batters. 

Meanwhile, Australia have also announced their playing XI for the Sydney Test. Skipper Pat Cummins confirmed one change as Usman Khawaja replaced Travis Head. The latter won’t be available for the fourth Test as he tested positive for COVID-19 recently.

Meanwhile, pacer Scott Boland has managed to hold on to his spot. The right-hand bowler had a dream debut in the Boxing Day Test and picked up six wickets in the second inning.

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Australia XI: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

England XI: Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson