At the G, India up against Head-strong Australia

● In-form batter declared fit for Boxing Day Test

- SRIRAM VEERA

PAT CUMMINS WAS running after his young son, with his pregnant wife all smiles trailing behind them. Marnus Labuschagne scooped his little daughter in his left hand and chatted with his wife to his right. All around them are kids, playing, diving, lying, and laughing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, bathed in warm sunshine.

It's about 9 a.m., Christmas Day, on the eve of the Boxing Day Test and the Australian cricketers are having a family time. "It's absolute chaos," says Cummins with a smile. "On average, two kids per member and everyone running around with presents and hyper!"