Australia has announced its 15-member squad for the Boxing Day Test to be held in Melbourne on Tuesday. The Australian team has made two changes to its squad, including fast bowler Jhye Richardson and off-spinner Todd Murphy.
Richardson and Murphy will replace Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon in the team. Australian regular captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the fourth Test against England due to workload management. The experienced off-spinner was injured in the third Test and requires surgery on his right hamstring.
Steve Smith’s return
Steve Smith is returning for the fourth Test. In Pat Cummins’ absence, he will captain the Australian team in the fourth Test. Meanwhile, Todd Murphy is making a comeback to the Test format after February this year. Fast bowler Jhye Richardson is waiting for his four-year wait to end so he can play his first Test.
Jhye Richardson played his last Test in the 2021 Ashes series. After that, he underwent shoulder surgery for the third time. He remained with the team for the first three Tests, practicing bowling and gradually increasing his bowling workload. Earlier this month, Richardson proved his fitness by bowling 26 overs against England Lions and taking five wickets in an innings.
Australia’s squad for the Boxing Day Test:
Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jack Wildermuth, and Beau Webster.