Ashes 3rd Test: Skipper Pat Cummins returns, Scott Boland named in Australia playing XI

Australia skipper Pat Cummins on Saturday confirmed the playing XI for the upcoming Boxing Day Test, beginning Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The hosts have made two changes to their lineup as Pat Cummins and Scott Boland have replaced Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson.

Joe Root's England are 0-2 down in the series with three matches to play.

We're going to see an #Ashes debutant on Boxing Day - congratulations to paceman Scott Boland! 

In front of his home crowd too... 

More details: https://t.co/4YjmP2DgFf pic.twitter.com/EGEFyqNMBs — Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) December 24, 2021

"He (Jhye Richardson) was pretty sore. We were umming and ahhing - he had a bowl yesterday but we thought seven days off (before the fourth Test in Sydney) will give him enough rest," cricket.com.au quoted Cummins as saying.

"He's got a small leg injury which is nothing major but we thought rather than risking a long-term injury, we'd give him a week off," he added.

Talking about Boland, Cummins said: "We earmarked him as a chance for here and the SCG in particular, we think his record is really well suited. His record speaks for itself here in domestic cricket. Home ground, having someone fresh like him who can perform straightaway were the big factors."

"He's really excited obviously - it's a dream for him to wear the Baggy Green, packed MCG on Boxing Day, it doesn't get any better," he added.

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