Konstas gifted TWO extra lives early after Aussies drop selection bombshell — LIVE

Australian captain Pat Cummins has won the toss and chosen to bat first after the tourists dropped veteran spinner Nathan Lyon in a conditions-based selection for the third Test against the West Indies in Jamaica.

Scott Boland has been recalled for the pink-ball contest at Kingston’s Sabina Park, Australia’s first overseas day-night Test, with Lyon squeezed out of the starting XI.

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The West Indies have also made changes to their starting XI, with veteran opener Kraigg Braithwate dropped for Mikyle Louis and batter Kevlon Anderson making his Test debut. Meanwhile, vice-captain Jomel Warrican returns after missing the Grenada Test, replacing fast bowler Anderson Phillip.

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Elsewhere, Mitchell Starc will play his 100th Test in Kingston, becoming just the second Australian fast bowler to achieve the rare feat.

The first ball is scheduled for 4.30am AEST.

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DAY 1 PREVIEW

Pakistan fast bowling legend Wasim Akram has hailed Mitchell Starc as a “modern-day great” as the Australian great prepares for his 100th Test appearance.

Starc will again spearhead the Australian bowling attack against the West Indies in Jamaica for the third and final Test — a historic day-night fixture — of the three-match series, with the visitors aiming to complete a clean sweep.

The match gets underway on Sunday morning at 4.30am (AEST).

Starc, who draws comparisons with fellow left-arm quick Akram, becomes the 83rd player and 16th Australian to play 100 Tests — and only the second Australian fast bowler after Glenn McGrath.

“It is a big deal in this day and age to reach 100 Tests, congratulations to Starc,” Akram told AFP.

“That shows the quality and resolve of the man.”

Starc's best bits as Aussie set for 100! | 03:38

Akram said the 100-Test milestone not only showed how consistent Starc had been, but also showed “where his priorities lie – that is to play red-ball cricket”.

“He has also played Twenty20 and league cricket but his career in Test cricket is way ahead and to me he is a modern-day great,” he said.

Starc stands on 395 Test wickets, so has the tantalising prospect of taking his landmark 400th wicket during his 100th Test. His strike rate is remarkably similar to Akram, who retired in 2002 after taking 414 wickets in 104 Tests.

Both players, said Akram, had suffered injuries to “every joint, every part of the body” during their careers.

Intriguingly, Starc could lead an all-pace bowling attack, with the Aussies contemplating leaving out veteran spinner Nathan Lyon for the series finale.

Speaking to reporters at Sabina Park on Friday, Cummins confirmed that Australia was considering changing its starting XI.

Australia's Mitchell Starc. Picture: AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan Source: AP

“With the pink ball there’s a few more unknowns, so we just want to have another look at the wicket, give it a bit of time and work out a team later.

“We’re still trying to get our heads around exactly what (the pink ball) will do.”

Victorian quick Scott Boland would be the most likely option to replace Lyon in the starting XI should Australia opt for an all-pace attack, while fellow seamer Sean Abbott is another candidate.

The third Test will not only be Australia’s first overseas day-night Test, but also the team’s first match using the pink Dukes ball.

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