Australia have been forced into significant changes ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, with Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins ruled out for the remainder of the Ashes series. Off-spinner Todd Murphy and fast bowler Jhye Richardson have been added to the 15-man squad, while Steven Smith returns as captain after recovering from illness.
Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, who turned 38 last month, will undergo surgery after tearing his right hamstring while fielding on the final day of Australia’s Ashes-clinching win in Adelaide. Cricket Australia confirmed he will be sidelined for an extended period, with coach Andrew McDonald describing the recovery as a “long road”. Lyon’s absence leaves a rare void in Australia’s home Test XI, having been the side’s frontline spinner for over a decade.
Murphy, 25, has emerged as Lyon’s preferred replacement, edging out Matthew Kuhnemann, Corey Rocchiccioli and Mitchell Swepson. All of Murphy’s seven Tests have come overseas, where he has taken 22 wickets at 28.13, but he boasts strong familiarity with Melbourne conditions, including six wickets at the MCG in Sheffield Shield cricket. If selected, it would mark the first time in 14 years Australia field a lone specialist spinner at home who isn’t Lyon.
Fast bowler Jhye Richardson is also in contention for a long-awaited Test return, having last played in 2021. After undergoing his third shoulder surgery earlier this year, the Western Australian has steadily built up his workload and impressed against England Lions. With Cummins managing a back injury and ruled out of the final two Tests, Richardson adds depth to a pace attack already stretched by heavy workloads.
Australia’s selectors face complex decisions around team balance, particularly with the possibility of either playing a specialist spinner or opting for four quicks depending on pitch conditions. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland are fit despite bowling close to 100 overs each this series, while Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett remain in the mix.
The batting order is also under scrutiny with Smith returning at No.4, creating pressure on the middle order. McDonald signalled support for Alex Carey at No.6, while hinting that Usman Khawaja, despite being 39, remains firmly in contention after a fluent 122 in Adelaide. The future of Cameron Green, who has struggled for consistency this series, remains a talking point, with Beau Webster an outside option if Australia look to rebalance the XI.
With the Ashes already secured, Australia enter the Melbourne Test focused on managing workloads, testing depth, and fine-tuning combinations, while England will be desperate to salvage pride on the biggest stage of the summer. All eyes now turn to selection, and whether Murphy is handed a dream home debut as Australia begin life, briefly, without their most reliable match-winner.
Australia squad for fourth Test: Steve Smith (C), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Ashes schedule:
- First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-22 (Australia won by eight wickets)
- Second Test: Gabba, December 4-7 (Australia won by eight wickets)
- Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21 (Australia won by 82 runs)
- Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30
- Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8
