Ashes 2021-22: Usman Khawaja And Travis Head To Play In Hobart, Australia Drops Marcus Harris- Reports

Usman Khawaja retained his spot in the Australian side as Western Australia opener Marcus Harris was dropped for the final Ashes Test against England in Hobart.

According to a report by cricket.com.au, Australia Test skipper Pat Cummins confirmed that Khawaja will open the innings as South Australian batter Travis Head returns back to the side.

Usman Khawaja to open in place for Marcus Harris

Head tested positive for COVID-19 before the fourth Test in Sydney and was kept under isolation for seven days.

Khawaja replaced the South Australian batter for the Sydney Test and stole the show with 137 in the first innings followed by an unbeaten 101 in the second.

With 248 runs from four innings, Head was Australia’s leading run-scorer in the series ahead of the fourth Test. The 28-year-old played a marvellous knock of 152 in the Ashes opener in Brisbane.

There was a dilemma lying before the selectors to choose between Head and Khawaja for the Hobart Test. The Australia think-tank has played it smartly and roped in both the players for the final Test of Ashes 2021-22.

Harris scored 179 runs from seven innings at an average of 29.83 and his string of low scores was one of the weak links in the Australian side that have easily outplayed the visitors throughout the series.

Australia yet to decide on its bowling unit

However, Australia is yet to sort out their pace bowling unit as reports have suggested that Scott Boland was in pain while bowling in the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Australia head coach Justin Langer had earlier confirmed that Josh Hazlewood, who had endured side strain during the Brisbane Test, was ruled out of the series.

Boland, who made an impressive Test debut against his home crowd in Melbourne, has scalped 14 wickets from playing just three matches at an average of 8.64 apiece.

He bowled a breathtaking spell of six wickets for seven runs in the second innings of the MCG Test as England were bowled out for 68.

Australia have already retained the Ashes after their victory in Melbourne by an innings and 14 runs, as they clinched the series 3-0.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: We’ll Wait And See: Travis Head On His Selection For Hobart Test After Usman Khawaja’s Twin Hundreds In Sydney