Marsh Makes Way For Khawaja

Steve Smith says Shaun Marsh is “extremely unlucky” to be dropped for the Boxing Day Test.

One player whose spot for Boxing Day looks assured is opener Rajendra Chandrika, who has scored three ducks in his first four Test innings and has 25 in the other.

The Windies seem as likely to reverse that result as having a white Christmas in Jamaica.

And with Usman Kwhaja proving his fitness with a big bash century, someone had to miss out.

West Indies did not find the going that simple in Hobart.

Australia captain Steve Smith confirmed the XI at his captain’s press conference on the eve of the second Commonwealth Bank Test against the West Indies, with national selectors opting for a “last in, first out” policy, allowing Joe Burns to keep his place at the top of the order.

Khawaja’s return is the only change to the side which cruised to a thumping win over West Indies in the first Test in Hobart, with Australia sticking to the pace attack of Josh Hazlewood, Peter Siddle and James Pattinson, leaving uncapped Victorian seamer Scott Boland on the sidelines.

“But we’ll see how the conditions look”.

“It’s up to our administration and our bosses to learn how is one of the simplest ways that we will get these guys on the pitch”, he added.

“I just think we are just one good performance from turning things around”.

Jason Holder’s West Indies have been ridiculed as one of the worst touring teams to head Down Under in recent times, and have so far struggled to be competitive in all their tour games, even against modest opposition.

Former Test captain Darren Sammy and Lendl Simmons, also now playing in the Big Bash, have also both quit Test cricket while leg-spinner Samuel Badree – another T20 star plying his trade Down Under – has never played in a Test.

“We know we’ve got a big Test series here then against New Zealand to achieve the number one status”.

“For me personally I’m always upbeat”, Holder said. Given what Brathwaite and Bravo showed with the bat, it is imperative that Taylor summons something approaching his best this week, or the Test will quickly go the same way as its predecessor.

“Carlos has been in the squad for a little while now and he’s waiting for his opportunity, so he’s pretty much front line to go ahead of Miguel”.

As they face a massive task, to prevent Australia from taking a 2-0 lead in the three day test series.