Melbourne: Australia has made a surprising change in leadership and squad selection ahead of the Boxing Day Test against England. Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon will miss the fourth Ashes Test due to injury, while Pat Cummins has been rested. Steve Smith has been reinstated as Australia’s captain.
Lyon and Cummins Out
Nathan Lyon suffered a hamstring injury while diving during the third Test and may require surgery, ruling him out of action for an extended period. Todd Murphy has been called up as his replacement. The 25-year-old off-spinner has taken 22 wickets in 7 Tests but has yet to play a home Test in Australia.
Pat Cummins, dealing with ongoing back issues, has been rested under workload management. Cummins had missed the first two matches of the series and returned for the third Test, taking six wickets against England. Jhye Richardson has been included in the squad in his place.
Steve Smith Returns as Captain
Steve Smith, who missed the third Test due to illness, will lead Australia once again. During Smith’s absence, Usman Khawaja had delivered an impressive performance at number four.
Australia’s Squad for Boxing Day Test:
Steve Smith (Captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (Wicketkeeper), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
The fourth Test begins on December 26 in Melbourne and promises to be an exciting continuation of Australia’s dominant Ashes campaign, having already won the first three matches of the five-Test series.
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