England’s Stuart Broad replaces Ollie Robinson in the side for fourth Test against Australia.
Broad has collected 526 wickets in 150 Tests, second only to teammate James Anderson for England.
England has recalled bowler Stuart Broad for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney.
In the single change to England’s XI since last week’s third Test loss, Broad, 35, replaces fellow seamer Ollie Robinson, who has a slight shoulder injury.
Broad has only played once in the series, which Australia has won by two Tests to one following three emphatic victory.
Usman Khawaja is back for the visitors. On Tuesday, the game will begin at 23:30 GMT.
Travis Head, who has been placed on the disabled list due to a positive Covid test, will be replaced by Khawaja in the middle of the lineup.
After making his Test debut in Melbourne and delivering a player-of-the-match performance, fast bowler Scott Boland holds his spot.
Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (capt), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wk), Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson. England XI: Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (capt), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wk), Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad
Broad gained his 150th England cap in the second Test, a day-night match in Adelaide in which he took 2-100, although he was kept out of the England selection for the first and third Tests on seamer-friendly fields.
Covid-19 has significantly affected England’s preparation for the Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with head coach Chris Silverwood, speed bowling coach Jon Lewis, spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel, and strength and conditioning coach Darren Veness all missing.
Chris Woakes, a bowling all-rounder, is also suffering from a shoulder problem.
In Silverwood’s absence, assistant coach Graham Thorpe will lead England, describing Broad, England’s second-highest Test wicket-taker, as a “caged tiger.”
“I’ve been in communication with Spoons [Silverwood] throughout discussing team selection and bringing him up to date with what’s been going on,” he added. “Of course, myself and Joe Root are here on the ground.”
“We’re taking a look at the surface and analyzing our bowlers as they approach.” From that perspective, it was risky to go in with a couple of men who had niggles, so Stuart’s return was appropriate.
“I’ve got a pair of caged tigers in this match, one of which is Ben Stokes. Another is Stuart.”
Khawaja will play in his first Test since the third Ashes Test at Headingley, which England won by one wicket with to Ben Stokes’ match-winning century.
For the first two Tests, the 35-year-old was selected in Australia’s 15-man squad, but he did not make the squad in Brisbane or Adelaide.
Josh Hazlewood is still recovering from a side injury suffered in the first Test, but skipper Pat Cummins believes the fast bowler will be ready to play in the fifth Test in Hobart starting on January 14.
“It’s no secret that if Joshy Hazlewood was available, he’d play; he’s been a fantastic bowler for us for a long time,” Cummins said.
“Scotty’s absence this week would have been a huge disappointment given his performance last week. It’s a bummer for Joshy, but I’m delighted [Scott] gets another chance here.”
David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon. Australia: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon.
