Australia captain Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon are out of the final two Ashes Tests against England. Lyon requires surgery for a torn right hamstring; quick Jhye Richardson and spinner Todd Murphy join the 15-player squad for Friday’s fourth Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
With the urn secured—via eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane, plus an 82-run victory in Adelaide—coach Andrew McDonald confirmed Cummins won’t risk further play. Returning from a back injury for Adelaide (where he took six wickets), Cummins now prioritizes fitness for February’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. “We took a calculated risk post-series win. Pat’s comfortable—no long-term health gamble,” McDonald told cricket.com.au.
Steve Smith, who led the first two Tests and sat out Adelaide due to vertigo, resumes captaincy. Usman Khawaja’s No. 4 role in Adelaide (82 & 40) could sideline Josh Inglis.
Lyon, 38, pulled up lame fielding in Adelaide after claiming his 564th Test wicket (sixth all-time). Murphy earns a home debut after seven overseas caps.
Richardson returns post-three shoulder surgeries; Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc headline pace (Starc: 22 wickets at 17.04 avg, including 7-58 in Perth, plus 150 runs). Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett, and Richardson vie for spots. McDonald lauded Starc’s workload (nearly 100 overs) and preparation.
Squad: Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
