Todd Murphy Steps In for Nathan Lyon in Fourth Ashes Test Against England

Murphy to Make Test Debut at MCG

Todd Murphy has been named as Nathan Lyon's replacement for the upcoming fourth Ashes Test against England, set to commence this Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Captain Pat Cummins will also be absent from this match as he continues to recover from a significant back injury sustained in June.

Murphy, who is poised to make his Test debut on home soil during the Boxing Day match, has secured his position in the 15-man squad, surpassing competitors Matt Kuhnemann and Corey Rocchiccioli.

Following Australia's third consecutive victory in the Ashes series in Adelaide, Cummins confirmed his decision to rest, indicating that he would likely not participate in the MCG match after the team's 82-run triumph over England.

Steve Smith is anticipated to return to the squad after missing the third Test due to a vertigo episode, and he will take on the captaincy role in Cummins' absence.

Fast bowler Jhye Richardson is also in the mix to play his first Test in over four years, having been recalled to the squad after battling injuries.

Lyon suffered a hamstring strain while attempting to save a boundary on the final day of the third Test. The 38-year-old spinner has had a largely injury-free career, with his only other major setback being a torn calf during the 2023 Ashes.

Murphy previously participated in two Tests during the 2023 Ashes series, where he claimed six wickets in Australia's defeat at The Oval.

The series will conclude with the fifth and final Ashes Test, scheduled to start on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Australia squad: 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, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.