Travis Head on track for Boxing Day Test

Sam Konstas set for debut as Australia makes change for MCG Test

Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald reassured fans that Travis Head will be fit to play in the highly anticipated fourth Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

With the series delicately poised at 1-1, Head's availability was uncertain after he sustained a minor quad strain while batting in Australia's second innings during the drawn third Test in Brisbane.

The injury kept him off the field for India's brief second innings, which was cut short by rain.

Head, however, has since resumed training at the MCG ahead of the Boxing Day Test, and McDonald is optimistic about the left-hander's fitness.

Head has been in scintillating form throughout the series, averaging 81.80 with 409 runs in five innings, making him one of India's biggest challenges. KL Rahul's 235 runs is the next highest tally.

"Has he got some things to work through? Yeah, he has," McDonald said. "So that's what you would have seen [in the nets]. There's no concern at the moment. Has he been officially ticked off? I'm not sure. I didn't see the sort of back-end of his training session there, but I'm pretty confident he'll play.

"I thought he looked good with the bat in his hand so obviously the skills are in good order. It will just be what risk is associated with that. But no concerns from my end, he's been able to do his running so I think he'll be functional come game time," the coach added.

McDonald also confirmed the inclusion of young Sam Konstas in Australia's playing XI for the MCG Test, replacing Nathan McSweeney, who was dropped from the squad.

Konstas's inclusion was backed by Australia's chief selector, George Bailey, who previously mentioned the need to try something different against India.

McDonald echoed these sentiments, highlighting Konstas's ability to put pressure on the opposition with his composed and relaxed approach to the game.

"We wanted clarity for our batting unit before the team meeting. It's something we don't usually do because we haven't had too many moving parts, but we thought we'd get that out of the way so everyone knows that he's in the team," McDonald said.

"He (Konstas) has been very similar to what I've seen on the outside within (the team) - composed, relaxed, knows his game. And what he's shown is an array of shots, the ability to put pressure back on to opponents and he gets his opportunity. We're really excited for him. Boxing Day is the biggest stage, you may as well get that one out of the way early."

Despite the team's solid recovery after their defeat in Perth, opener Usman Khawaja has struggled with the bat.

His recent scores of 8, 4, 13, 9*, 21, and 8 have raised concerns, but McDonald has full faith that the veteran left-hander will return to form.

"I think he's fine, Usman's not a concern. Batting in recent times obviously has been quite difficult, with ball dominating bat. But his method is clear, the way he's been preparing is clear and good players always return to the runs. I'm sure that will be the case over the next couple of Test matches," McDonald said.

McDonald also expressed his hopes for a strong performance from Australia's No. 3, Marnus Labuschagne, who has been somewhat inconsistent this series.

Despite scoring 64 in the win in Adelaide, McDonald is looking for Labuschagne to display the same aggressive intent that made him so difficult to bowl to in previous series.

"We're pretty much on the record about when he (Labuschagne) is at his best, he's showing intent, he's busy at the crease, and we saw that in Adelaide. He can be quite annoying at the crease, and we want to see an annoying Marnus on Boxing Day."