Australian cricket legend Ian Healy is shocked by the team management's decision to include two off-spinners -- Nathan Lyon and young Todd Murphy -- who have almost similar action.
Australian batters have been focussed on tackling the spin threat
Johnny Bairstow scored England's first century of the series as the tourists staged a fightback after a torrid start to the third day of the fourth Ashes Test on Friday, but Australia remained in command with a lead of 158 at the close of play.
Australia completed victory at the Gabba in two days, batting marginally better than the Proteas on a perilous, grassy pitch that South Africa captain Dean Elgar complained was unfair to the batters. T
Australia laboured to a modest 263 all out on the opening day of the second Test against India in New Delhi
Green's return would allow Australia to harness uncapped Matt Kuhnemann with Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy in a three-pronged spin attack
England's audacious 'Bazball' flamboyance was trumped by some true Australian grit after five days of cut and thrust Ashes cricket.
The 32-year-old Starc was diagnosed with a detached tendon in the middle finger and missed the third and final Test against the Proteas at Sydney.
Australia's bowlers struck twice in quick succession in a devastating spell against England at Edgbaston on Sunday, before heavy rain prevented any further play.
Australia racked up 469 in their first innings and then reduced India to 151/5 to put themselves in the box seat in the World Test Championship final.
Images from Day 3 of the second Test between Australia and South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Legendary wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist believes Australia will play all-rounder Cameron Green as a pure batter at No 6 in the first Test against India.
'I know we've got a big series but we can worry about that in a couple days' time. You only get a few of these moments in your career where you can sit back, acknowledge a pretty special achievement and that's one of these times.'
Smith said he expects the Indian attack to pose a stiff challenge irrespective of the combination they go with.
Young prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal is considered the frontrunner to make his Test debut in the West Indies, but there are other options in Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill.
Australia took 90 minutes to complete formalities, with Michael Neser and Mitchell Starc sharing five of the last six West Indies wicket.
The four-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy that promises a lot of twists and turns, engrossing sub-plots and probably career-defining performances.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the WTC final against Australia?
In Josh Hazlewood's absence, Jhye Richardson impressed in Adelaide while Scott Boland produced a man-of-the-match-winning performance in his debut Test in Melbourne and was retained for the ongoing fourth Test in Sydney.
England's batting once again disappointed against Australia on Day 2 of the third Test
South Africa in trouble at 58-4 in 'Boxing Day' Test
Cummins said the injury was "nothing major at all."
Australia completed a six-wicket victory within two days in the first Test against South Africa on Sunday as the Proteas crumbled on a green Gabba wicket that played straight into the home bowlers' hands.
A confident and wiser Australia are well-equipped to take the fight to India in a series that could literally be decided by a coin-toss, according to former Test bowler Ryan Harris.
Joe Root continued with his purple patch during the first Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston, bringing up his 30th Test century.
India's hopes of breaking their ICC trophy drought after 2013, remained unfulfilled as Australia handed them a crushing loss at the WTC Final.
The Test batting chart is headed by Australia's Marnus Labuschagne (915 points), followed by England captain Joe Root (900) while New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson (879) dislodged Steve Smith (877) from the No. 3 slot.
Since 2011, England have managed to eke out just a single draw in 13 Ashes Tests over three tours and their last two Tests in Sydney have resulted in humiliating defeats.
Usman Khawaja will replace Travis Head in Australia's middle order for this week's fourth Ashes Test against England in the only change to the side that wrapped up the series in Melbourne last week.
'It is one thing to plan, but to base that plan on a flawed premise is an exercise in futility.' Former captain Greg Chappell questioned the Australian team's selection and planning for the four-match Test series, two of which the visitors lost inside two days.
Images from Day 1 of the third Test between Australia and South Africa at the SCG on Wednesday.
Ahead of the second test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series, Australian skipper Pat Cummins admitted that it has been a bit of an adjustment and the spinners were struggling.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald feels their 'sub-continent journey' helped them triumph in the World Test Championship final against India.
Travis Head struck a belligerent half-century to give Australia the upper hand on day one of the series-opening Test against South Africa after the home side's bowlers dominated on a green Gabba wicket on Saturday.
India have already secured the Border-Gavaskar trophy and they will now be playing for a record-extending 16th straight series win at home
Imam-ul-Haq hit a memorable first Test century on Friday and led Pakistan to a commanding 245-1 in its first home Test against Aus in 24 years
Images from Day 2 of the first Test between India and Australia, at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, on Friday
Has any cricketing legend asked the all-powerful BCCI Secretary Jay A Shah how selections are taking place without a chief selector in place for the last four months? Who takes all the important decisions at selection meetings?, asks Harish Kotian.
Team India is all set to take on Australia in the final of the ICC World Test Championship final from Wednesday at The Oval and this 'Ultimate Test' also brings with it a set of milestones that players can establish during the course of the match.
'I grew up watching Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, those guys winning Ashes series. It felt a million miles away from me playing cricket in the backyard and here I am a decade later in this position.'
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