Australia will field an all-pace attack for the Boxing Day Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with stand-in captain Steve Smith confirming Todd Murphy’s omission due to injury concerns and pitch considerations. The move comes as the Australians aim to build on their recent eight-wicket victory at the Gabba and retain the Ashes with two matches remaining [[1]]. Final team selection hinges on a Friday morning pitch assessment, with several fast bowlers in contention for the remaining spots. Smith returns to the side after recovering from illness, though regular captain Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon are still sidelined.
Australia will head into the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with an all-pace attack, as stand-in captain Steve Smith confirmed spinner Todd Murphy will not feature in the fourth Ashes Test against England. The decision comes as the Aussies look to maintain their momentum in the highly anticipated series.
The hosts will assess the pitch conditions on Friday morning before finalizing their starting XI, with Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett, and Jhye Richardson all vying for the remaining two spots in the lineup.
“We will have a look at the wicket and see how we best want to manage our options with the attack,” Smith told reporters on Thursday morning.
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 >
Australia opted for an all-pace attack in the recent pink-ball Test at the Gabba, controversially leaving Nathan Lyon on the sidelines in favor of Neser and Doggett. The gamble paid off handsomely, as the Australians secured an eight-wicket victory in Brisbane.
Steve Smith will return to the side, replacing reserve wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, after missing the Adelaide Test due to illness. Captain Pat Cummins and Lyon remain unavailable due to injury.
Smith also confirmed the batting order, with Usman Khawaja set to bat at No. 5 and Alex Carey at No. 6. Cameron Green will slide down to No. 7, as he continues to regain form following his return from back surgery.
Green had previously batted at No. 3 during June’s World Test Championship final and the Frank Worrell Trophy campaign in the West Indies, but has averaged just 22.00 with the bat since his recovery.
Jhye Richardson could make his first Test appearance in over four years, with his last outing coming in December 2021. The fast bowler is in contention to bolster the Australian pace attack.
Australian XII for Boxing Day Ashes Test
Steve Smith (c), Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Jhye Richardson, Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett
More to come…
