Australia have called up Todd Murphy and Jhye Richardson for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, with Nathan Lyon ruled out for an extended period after suffering a hamstring tear that will require surgery. The changes open up multiple selection debates for the fourth Ashes Test, including the balance of the bowling attack and the shape of the top seven, with Steven Smith confirmed to return as captain.
Murphy has been named as Lyon’s replacement in Australia’s 15-man squad and is firmly in contention to play at Melbourne. However, coach Andrew McDonald has not ruled out the possibility of Australia fielding four fast bowlers instead of a specialist spinner, depending on how the pitch evolves in the lead-up to the match.
Jhye Richardson is also back in the frame, closing in on his first Test appearance in four years. With Pat Cummins ruled out for the remainder of the series as he continues to manage his back injury, there is a vacancy in the pace group. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland are both fit to play despite Boland picking up a minor hip knock while batting in Adelaide. If Australia opt for a spinner, Richardson is unlikely to jump ahead of Michael Neser or Brendan Doggett, but that hierarchy could shift if selectors decide the MCG surface favours an all-pace attack.
Lyon, who turned 38 last month, was injured while fielding on the final day in Adelaide. Cricket Australia confirmed he will be sidelined for “an extended period” after undergoing surgery on Tuesday morning, following specialist consultations in Melbourne. McDonald acknowledged that the offspinner faces a long rehabilitation road.
The injury has also forced selectors to reassess their batting configuration. Smith’s return at No.4 squeezes the middle order, and McDonald said there are tough calls ahead. He indicated a desire to persist with the Travis Head–Jake Weatherald opening partnership, while also suggesting Usman Khawaja could retain his place and potentially slot in at No.5.
“I’m not willing to say Uz will be a lock, but what he’s done is perform really well,” McDonald said. “He’s back to that attacking style of play. He’s still a good player, and age shouldn’t factor into our decision-making.”
McDonald also voiced strong support for Alex Carey remaining at No.6, calling it a role that suits him well. That leaves Cameron Green and Josh Inglis in a precarious position. Green has struggled for returns this series despite flashes of promise, and McDonald was careful not to be definitive about his immediate future.
“The returns haven’t been there, but we’ve seen the upside,” McDonald said. “He’s an important part of what we’re trying to achieve in the short and long term.”
If Green’s only viable slot is at No.7, it could reopen the door for Beau Webster, who is more accustomed to that role at domestic level.
Murphy, 25, has been chosen ahead of Matthew Kuhnemann, Corey Rocchiccioli and Mitchell Swepson. He has taken 22 wickets at 28.13 in seven Tests, all away from home, and has solid numbers at the MCG in Sheffield Shield cricket. If selected, it would mark the first time in 14 years Australia have fielded a lone specialist spinner at home who is not Lyon.
McDonald said the decision reflected Murphy’s recent form and experience in key overseas series, while acknowledging the depth of spin options available. MCG curator Matt Page also suggested spin would have a role to play, pointing to recent Shield matches where both pace and spin influenced the outcome.
Australia now face a balancing act ahead of Boxing Day: whether to trust a specialist spinner in Lyon’s absence, lean into an all-pace strategy, or reshuffle their batting to maintain stability. The answers will shape not only the Melbourne Test, but potentially the rest of the series as well.
