The Ashes: Australians Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon eliminated from the fourth test against England in Melbourne on Boxing Day | Cricket News

Australia captain Pat Cummins was rested for the fourth Ashes Test against England as his back problem is managed, while injured Nathan Lyon was replaced by compatriot Todd Murphy for the match in Melbourne.

Paceman Cummins made his first appearance in the series in the third match in Adelaide, which Australia won by 82 runs to take an unassailable 3–0 lead in the five-match series and retain the urn, having missed out on his team’s victories in Perth and Brisbane.

Steve Smith was named in a 15-man squad after missing the Adelaide match with dizziness and is expected to replace Cummins as captain, just as he did in the first two Tests.

Lyon, who turned 38 last month, tore his right hamstring during the final at Adelaide Oval and Cricket Australia said he would be out for “an extended period” after undergoing surgery.

Murphy has taken 22 wickets at an average of 28.13 in his seven Tests to date – all away – and is now in contention for his first Test in Australia.

Cummins’ place in the XI will likely be taken by Brendan Doggett or Michael Neser, although another seamer Jhye Richardson has been added to the group and is in contention to play.

Australia must also decide which batter will make way to accommodate Smith’s return.

Usman Khawaja, 39, reached a half-century at Adelaide after being brought in as a last-minute replacement, but he and Josh Inglis look the most vulnerable.

Cameron Green did not get past fifty in the series and recorded scores of zero and seven in the third Test, but is in the team as an all-rounder and provides a valuable option with his right-arm seam bowling.

Australia squad for the fourth Ashes Test: Steve Smith, 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.

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