Australia Names Squad for Fourth Ashes Test with Changes

Australia has named a 15-man squad for the fourth Ashes Test against England, starting on Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with significant changes due to injuries and workload management. Offspinner Todd Murphy will replace the injured Nathan Lyon, while captain Pat Cummins has been rested to aid his recovery from a back injury, and Steve Smith is set to return as captain after missing the previous match.

The squad announcement on Tuesday comes after Australia's dominant 82-run victory in the third Test in Adelaide, which secured the retention of the Ashes urn for the third consecutive series. Lyon, 38, suffered a torn right hamstring while fielding on the final day in Adelaide and is scheduled for surgery, ruling him out for the remainder of the series and beyond. Murphy, 25, earns a spot for his first Test on home soil, having previously played seven matches overseas, including two during the 2023 Ashes in England where he took six wickets. He edged out competitors such as Matt Kuhnemann and Corey Rocchiccioli for the role.

Cummins, who has played only one of the first three Tests due to his ongoing back issues stemming from a June injury, confirmed after the...