Aust selectors mull XI for Boxing Day

Australia will confirm their squad for the Boxing Day Test on Sunday, with selectors expected to make at least two changes.

Australia took a 2-0 lead in their four-Test series against India on Saturday, grabbing a four-wicket win in Brisbane.

David Warner (thumb) and Mitch Marsh (hamstring) both suffered injuries at the Gabba and could miss the third Test.

Warner and Marsh are both confident they will be ok to play on Friday, but the allrounder’s chances are considered more slim.

Ryan Harris looks to be over the worst of a minor quad strain.

“There is no pain there. Boxing Day is definitely on the cards,” he told Fox Sports.

If passed fit, Harris would likely tip Mitchell Starc out of the XI that beat India in Brisbane.

Josh Hazlewood excelled on debut and, as part of the original squad for the first Test, is expected to be retained ahead of Starc.

“When he’s on, he’s a very good bowler,” stand-in skipper Steve Smith said of Starc.

“For him it’s just about finding that happy medium where he gets his line and length right, but still bowls at a good pace.

“Sometimes he might try a little bit too hard and sometimes he might just kind of put it there.”

When asked whether he would prefer an allrounder or batsman to replace Marsh, Smith played a dead bat.

“That’s not my job. I will do what I can with the team I am given,” Smith said.

Warner played down fears he would miss the Boxing Day Test.

“It is very sore but I will see how I go,” he told the Nine Network.

“It was tough (after being hit) but I didn’t want to come off.”

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