Australia plans to field an all-pace bowling attack for the fourth Ashes Test, captain Steve Smith confirmed, while selectors dropped Josh Inglis in favor of Usman Khawaja. The hosts enter the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with an unassailable 3-0 lead over England but face key absences, with pace spearhead Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon unavailable.
Cummins is being managed following his return in the third Adelaide Test after a lengthy layoff due to a lower back injury and will not play further in the series. Lyon recently underwent surgery for a torn hamstring and is expected to be sidelined for an extended period. Todd Murphy has been called up as cover for Lyon, but Smith confirmed the team would opt for a four-quick attack, citing the “quite furry” and green surface at the MCG.
Smith said, “We’re going to be playing four quicks and no spinner. The pitch has 10 millimeters of grass, quite furry, quite green. I dare say it’s going to offer quite a bit, particularly if day one is similar to today, cold and overcast.” He added that the surface and weather conditions are likely to favor seam bowlers throughout the week.
Australia has named a 12-man squad, with a final decision on who will join Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in the pace attack to be made at the toss. One of Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, or Brendan Doggett will miss out. Doggett and Neser played in the second Test in Brisbane but were absent in Adelaide when Cummins and Lyon returned. Richardson has been recalled to the squad for the first time in four years following three shoulder surgeries.
Smith, who missed the third Test due to vertigo symptoms, is set to return at number four in the batting order, strengthening Australia’s lineup as they look to continue their dominant Ashes campaign.
