Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon have been omitted from Australia’s Ashes squad for the Boxing Day Test, with two new faces named as reinforcements.
Jhye Richardson has been included in the squad as he eyes a return to the Test arena, while Todd Murphy is the man to fill the shoes left by Lyon.
The 38-year-old has been ruled out after suffered a hamstring injury suffered on day five on the Adelaide Test, which Fox Sports News revealed will require surgery.
Watch The Ashes 2025/26 LIVE and ad-break free during play with FOX CRICKET on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Murphy has previously replaced Lyon during an Ashes series following a soft tissue injury — in England in 2023, when Lyon tore his calf.
He is also yet to play a Test on home soil, with seven appearances next to his name and the first coming in India in 2023.
Cummins, meanwhile, signalled he could be rested to manage an ongoing back issue in his post-match press conference following the Adelaide Test.
Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett have both also been named and it remains to be seen who will replace Cummins.
Richardson has emerged as a surprise contender to fill the slot, having played three Tests, debuting against Sri Lanka in 2019 and taking five wickets in the 2021 Ashes clash at Adelaide Oval.
But injuries have cruelled his career, most recently a shoulder issue which required surgery back in January.
He has since been building his fitness with longer bowling stints, including two red-ball games against England Lions.
Elsewhere, there’s been no further clarity regarding whether Usman Khawaja or Josh Inglis will keep their spots in the batting order.
Smith’s return to the squad, after battling vertigo, means one batter needs to drop out and Khawaja performed strongly after a late re-call.
Inglis, meanwhile, has only managed 23, 32 and 10 in his three innings this series.
AUSTRALIAN SQUAD FOR FOURTH ASHES TEST
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club) (c)
Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Brendan Doggett (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)
Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
Todd Murphy (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Michael Neser (QLD/Gold Coast Cricket Club)
Jhye Richardson (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Jake Weatherald (TAS/) Kingborough Cricket Club
Beau Webster (TAS/Kingborough Cricket Club)
Discussion about this post