The Australia National Cricket Team has officially revealed its playing XII for the fourth Test of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 against the England National Cricket Team.
Todd Murphy has been left out of the Australian squad for the home Boxing Day Test in place of Nathan Lyon as the selectors have decided to go with a pace attack.
Josh Inglis ruled out with Usman Khawaja retained
Australia has already won the Ashes 2025-26 by winning the first three consecutive matches. They will go into the Boxing Day Test without some of their key players, including Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood – all of whom have been ruled out of the Ashes due to injury.
Steve Smith has regained full fitness and will serve as stand-in captain, but Australia are yet to decide on their playing eleven for the fourth Test.
This is due to the surface offered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the selectors wanting to have a final look at the pitch before finalizing the playing eleven. Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser and Jhay Richardson are battling for the final two spots as the remaining nine players battle it out.
Josh Inglis has been left out of the squad, and Todd Murphy has been ruled out due to being offered a green top for the game.
It’s exciting to see Richardson back in the team – Steve Smith
Speaking to the media, Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith said he was excited to see Richardson back on the field.
“It’s exciting to see Richardson back in the team, he’s been out for a long time with injury and we know how much skill he can have,” Smith said.
“He’s done that against England before in the Ashes. We’ve seen when he’s got the chance at this level, he’s excelled. We’ve gone down to 12, we just want to have a look at the wicket tomorrow. We’ll be playing four fast bowlers and no spinners. There’s 10mm of grass on (the pitch), quite hairy, quite green.”
Steve Smith also admitted that conditions will be difficult for the batsmen in Melbourne and explained why Todd Murphy was left out of the team. He said:
“I dare say it’s going to have a lot to offer, especially (on the first day) with conditions like today, quite cold and overcast so I dare say there’s going to be a lot of hustle and bustle.
“You just have to play on the surface that’s presented to you; it looks like it’s going to provide a lot of support for the seam bowlers and the weather throughout the week looks favorable for that as well.
“I think if Nathan (Lyon) had been (available), we’d probably still be having the same conversation, so it’s certainly nothing to do with Todd’s skill.”
Australia XII for the fourth Test vs England:
Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendon Doggett, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson.
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