Australia will field an all-pace attack in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, skipper Steve Smith confirmed, while Josh Inglis was dropped in favor of Usman Khawaja. The hosts head into the Boxing Day Test with a commanding 3-0 lead over England but are without Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
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Cummins, returning from a lower back injury in Adelaide, will play no further part in the series, while Lyon underwent surgery for a torn hamstring and faces a long recovery. Todd Murphy has been called as cover, but Smith explained the team chose a pace-heavy attack due to the green, grassy surface at the MCG, which is expected to aid seamers.
“We’re going to be playing four quicks and no spinner. The pitch has 10 millimetres of grass, quite furry, quite green,” Smith said. “Conditions look conducive for movement, especially if day one is cold and overcast.”
The 12-man squad leaves one of Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, or Brendan Doggett out. Doggett and Neser played in Brisbane but sat out in Adelaide when Cummins and Lyon returned. Richardson is back in the squad for the first time in four years after three shoulder surgeries.
Smith, returning after missing the third Test with vertigo, said he felt fully fit and ready. Khawaja moves to number five behind Alex Carey and Cameron Green, replacing Inglis, who misses out. Australia’s final XI will be confirmed at the toss.
Australia XII: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (capt), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson.
