Eng Playing XI: England are likely to make as many as 4 changes for the upcoming Boxing Day Test starting Sunday. Zak Crawley is the favourites to replace struggling Rory Burns as an opener while Jonny Bairstow, Mark Wood and Jack Leach are in contention for places in Playing XI. Follow Ashes 2021 live updates on InsideSport.IN
Eng Playing XI: Zak Crawley likely to replace Rory Burns, Is there a place for Jonny Bairstow for the Boxing Day Test? Follow LIVE updates
Rory Burns managed scores of 0, 13, 4 and 34 in the last 4 innings. Zak Crawley, who is coming on the back of the impressive form in county cricket, is all set to make a comeback after more than 4 months. He has not played a Test since he was axed during the India Tour of England after averaging 11 this year.
“I feel in a really good place with my batting and if I get the chance, I’m fairly confident that I could have a good time over here,” Crawley had said ahead of the Australia tour.
Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow is the favourites to take the No.6 spot with Ollie Pope failing to perform for England big time. Pope made things tougher for himself after managing just 35,4, 5 & 4 in the last four innings. With Jos Buttler struggling behind the stumps, Bairstow can take the duties and the former can play as a pure batsman.
Mark Wood and Jack Leach are expected to return to the playing XI after getting dropped in the Adelaide Test. Chris Woakes, who has failed to make an impact in Ashes, is likely to make way for Mark Wood. Meanwhile, one of the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad or Ollie Robinson could be dropped for Jack Leach.
Eng Playing XI: Zak Crawley likely to replace Rory Burns, Is there a place for Jonny Bairstow? Follow LIVE updates
Eng Playing XI
- Zak Crawley
- Haseeb Hameed
- Dawid Malan
- Joe Root
- Ben Stokes
- Jonny Bairstow/ Ollie Pope
- Jos Buttler
- Mark Wood/ Chris Woakes
- Ollie Robinson/ Jack Leach
- Stuart Broad
- James Anderson
- Zak Crawley is all set to open England’s innings with Haseeb Hameed at MCG, Melbourne.
- Jonny Bairstow’s return at No.6 can also bolster the wicket-keeping department with Jos Buttler’s keeping under the scanner
- England would be under pressure to include spinner Jack Leach and Mark Wood for underperforming Chris Woakes.
- One of the pacers among Ollie Robinson, James Anderson or Stuart Broad likely to be drafted.
Eng Playing XI: Zak Crawley likely to replace Rory Burns, Is there a place for Jonny Bairstow for the Boxing Day Test? Follow LIVE updates
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