Australia made several changes to the team for the last 2 Test matches against India, due to which the star batsman was dropped.

The Australian cricket team has made several changes in its team for the fourth and fifth Test against India in Melbourne and Sydney respectively. One of the changes that have been made was the loss of opening batsman Nathan McSweeney, who was considered a long-term replacement for the retired David Warner. The man replacing him is 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who impressed many with his century in the Prime Minister's XI practice game against Team India in Canberra ahead of the pink ball Test.

McSweeney's omission from the squad is not the only major change, as marquee pacer Josh Hazlewood has also been ruled out of the remainder of the series. Hazlewood suffered an injury in the Brisbane Test due to which he was not available for the last two days of the match. Australia have also included Sean Abbott, Jhye Richardson and Beau Webster in the squad for the final two matches of the series.

“The team offers options as to how we structure the playing XI for the final two Tests of the series,” Cricket Australia chairman of selection committee George Bailey said in an official statement.

“Sam has been included in the Test squad for the first time. He has a different batting style and we look forward to seeing his game develop further.”

Bailey said Australia still had confidence in McSweeney's ability and it was a difficult decision to drop him from the team for the third and fourth Tests.

“We are confident that Nathan has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level in the future. It was a difficult decision to leave him out.

“It has clearly been a challenge for the batsmen at the top of the order throughout the series and we want to provide the option of a different line-up for the next two matches.”

Scott Boland and Jhye Richardson undoubtedly remain the top two options for Australia to replace Josh Hazlewood in the playing eleven.

He said, “In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, Jhai provides further options in the fast bowling sector. It has been pleasing to see his successful return in the early stages of the domestic summer.”

Australian team for the last two Test matches against India: Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Konstans, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Beau Webster, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jhye Richardson, Alex Carey, Scott Boland and Josh Inglis.