Melbourne, Dec 29: Head coach Andrew McDonald was wary of making too many changes for the series finale, with valuable ICC World Test Championship points at stake as the Aussies strive for a third successive appearance in the final.
The Aussies travel to the SCG for the fifth Test of the series, holding an unassailable 3-1 advantage, but the side will be keen to atone for the disappointing four-wicket loss to England in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
“WTC is something that we aim and strive for.
Every Test match is vitally important, and we like to think we just pick the best Test team for that surface based upon that opponent, because the WTC is something that is held in such high regard by this group.
“We like to be consistent,” McDonald told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.
Khawaja was one player McDonald did guarantee would appear in Sydney, with the Australian coach dismissing any suggestion that the veteran batter would announce his retirement from international cricket.
Khawaja began the Ashes series as one of Australia’s openers, a role he had held since returning to the side in early 2022.
However, severe back spasms while fielding in the Perth Test prevented him from opening the batting and forced him to miss the following Brisbane Test.
However, he responded well in Adelaide, scoring 82 and 40 after earning a late reprieve on the day of the game when Steve Smith was ruled out of the contest.
“We’re always having conversations about where players are at and speaking directly with players, there’s no indication at my end that he’s calling it in Sydney.
“His performance in this calendar year has been good enough to warrant selection so I’d say he’ll be there marking centre in Sydney,” Head Coach McDonald said. (Agencies)
