Marsh or Khawaja likely to open in Boxing Day Test

Australian coach Darren Lehmann has raised the prospect that one of the two batsmen, Shaun Marsh or Usman Khawaja, is likely to open the Boxing Day Test at the expense of Joe Burns against West Indies at Melbourne.

26-year-old Burns has been struggling with form after scoring 71 and 129 in the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Lehman affirmed that although he was comfortable with Khawaja opening the innings, skipper Steve Smith might not be in favour of that, Sport24 reported.

On the other hand, Lehmann believes that Marsh would be more comfortable batting at number five, but added that if team require an opener then he would surely do a great job.

Khawaja, who scored 174 and 121 against New Zealand, was ruled out of the historic day and night Test after suffering from hamstring injury on Day Three of the second Test at Perth.

Expressing views on the same, Lehmann said that they would monitor Khawaja and if he managed to recover fully then he would be included in the team.

Earlier, Australia had displayed their complete superiority over West Indies by thrashing the tourists by an innings and 212 runs on day three of the first Test.

With the win, Australia have now taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, and will now play their next two matches in Melbourne and Sydney.