Paine to join Aussie squad on Sunday

Tim Paine will join his Test teammates in Melbourne on Sunday after the wicketkeeper had stayed with his family in Tasmania due to personal reasons.

Australia's players landed in Melbourne on Friday and trained at the MCG on Saturday, but Paine missed the session having stayed at home after his father-in-law suffered a stroke and was hospitalised.

Paine, recalled for this Magellan Ashes series after a seven-year absence from the Test side, will fly to Melbourne on Sunday ahead of the first ball of the Boxing Day Test on Tuesday.

Paceman Jackson Bird said the thoughts of the Australian team are with Paine, wife Bonnie and their extended family.

"It's a terrible time for Tim's family and Bonnie's family as well," he said.

"The thoughts of the Australian team and our families and the Australian public are all with Bonnie and Tim during this tough time.

"Tim's one of the most mentally strong players I've ever played with.

"I think he's shown that in the past couple of weeks. To get back into the Test team and perform how he has after such a long period out where he had so many career-threatening injuries where he thought he might not get back.

"If there's anyone who could compartmentalise that, I think it's Tim."

Peter Handscomb, who has dropped from the playing XI for the third Magellan Ashes Test and looks to again be running drinks on Boxing Day, kept his wicketkeeping skills fresh with a session with coach Brad Haddin.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21