After securing the Ashes with an unassailable 3-0 lead, Australia has confirmed two changes to its squad for the Boxing Day Test.
Off-spinner Todd Murphy has been included in the squad in place of the injured Nathan Lyon, while paceman Jhye Richardson could make his long-awaited return to Test Cricket, replacing Pat Cummins in the squad, who has been managed.
Lyon has been sent for surgery on his hamstring, while the Australian management has decided the risk with Cummins' back is too great after the series was wrapped up in Adelaide.
If picked, it will be Murphy's first Test on Australian soil, having featured in seven matches overseas. Five of those have come in the Subcontinent, while the other two came in the 2023 Ashes in England, also replacing the injured Lyon. He has claimed 22 wickets @ 28.1.
It is shaping as a feel-good story for Western Australian Richardson, who could return to the Australian Test lineup for his fourth match. He last featured for Australia in the 2021/22 Ashes in Adelaide, claiming 5-42 in the second innings.
Since then, it has been a rough run with injury for the right-arm quick, with a series of shoulder surgeries required to correct shoulder instability. He recently claimed 4-35 for Australia A against the England Lions.
With Cummins set to miss, veteran batsman Steve Smith will again act as stand-in captain after leading Australia to victories in Perth and Brisbane.
Potential Australia Boxing Day Test XI:
- Travis Head
- Jake Weatherald
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Beau Webster
- Alex Carey
- Josh Inglis
- Mitchell Starc
- Jhye Richardson
- Todd Murphy
- Scott Boland
