Australia captain Pat Cummins has been rested for the fourth Ashes Test against England, while the injured Nathan Lyon has been replaced by fellow off-spinner Todd Murphy for the Melbourne game.
Paceman Cummins made his first appearance in the series in the third match in Adelaide. After the team’s wins in Perth and Brisbane, Australia won by 82 runs to take a solid 3-0 lead in the five-match series and retain the urn.
Steve Smith has been named in the 15-man squad after missing the Adelaide game with vertigo and is set to replace Cummins as captain, as he did in the first two Tests.
Lyon, who turned 38 last month, tore his right hamstring in the final at Adelaide Oval and Cricket Australia said he would be out for “an extended period” after undergoing surgery.
Australia’s Nathan Lyon will be out for an extended period after hamstring surgery.
Murphy has taken 22 wickets at an average of 28.13 in seven Tests so far, all of them away from home, and is currently waiting for the first Test in Australia.
Cummins’ place in the XI is likely to be taken by either Brendan Doggett or Michael Neser, but another seamer, Jhye Richardson, has been added to the group and is vying for a spot.
Australia also have to decide which batsman they will accept on Smith’s return.
Usman Khawaja, 39, reached his half-century for Adelaide after being drafted in as a last-minute replacement, but he and Josh Inglis appear to be the most vulnerable.
Cameron Green has not passed 50 in the series and had scores of 0 and 7 in the third Test, but he is in the side as an all-rounder and provides a valuable option with his right-arm seam bowling.
Australia squad for fourth Ashes Test: Steve Smith, 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 series 2025-26 in Australia
Australia took the lead for the fifth straight game, 3-0.
