Australia has included Todd Murphy and Jhye Richardson in their 15-member squad for the upcoming fourth Ashes Test, commencing on December 26. Murphy will step in for Nathan Lyon, who is set to undergo surgery for a hamstring injury, beating out Matt Kuhnemann and Corey Rocchiccioli for the spot. Murphy, who has played seven Test matches for Australia, last appeared in a match earlier this year against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Nathan Lyon will miss the upcoming Test due to his hamstring injury, with Steve Smith potentially returning as captain pending clearance for an inner-ear issue. Additionally, Pat Cummins will be absent from the Boxing Day Test. Richardson, who recently returned from injury and joined the squad before the third Test, may replace Cummins. Despite featuring in only three Tests due to injuries, the selectors have high regard for the 29-year-old right-arm quick, with his last appearance against England in Adelaide in 2021.
Jhye Richardson’s formal inclusion in the squad positions him for a Test comeback after a four-year hiatus, following his third shoulder surgery earlier this year. Meanwhile, Michael Neser, Beau Webster, and Brendan Doggett, who were part of the squad for the recent Adelaide Test, will retain their spots. The trio missed out on selection in the previous Test, where Australia secured an 82-run victory, extending their lead to an unassailable 3-0 in the Ashes series.
