Australia to Field Four-Pace Attack Again for Boxing Day Test as Lyon Sidelined

Australia will head into the Boxing Day Test without a frontline spinner for the second time this Ashes series, with captain Steve Smith confirming an all-pace bowling attack for the Melbourne Test. With Nathan Lyon ruled out due to injury and replacement Todd Murphy omitted, the hosts have opted for four fast bowlers after assessing pitch and weather conditions.

Speaking on Christmas Day, Smith said Australia had settled on a 12-man squad but would finalize the XI after another look at the wicket. “We’re going to be playing four quicks, no spinner,” Smith confirmed.

The decision follows a close inspection of the surface, which Smith described as heavily grassed. “About 10 mils of grass, quite furry, quite green,” he said. Cooler conditions are also forecast, with temperatures expected to peak at around 26°C over the first three days, alongside overcast skies.

“I dare say it’s going to offer quite a bit,” Smith said. “Tomorrow should be similar to today—quite cold and overcast—so there should be a fair bit of movement in the surface.”

Smith stressed that Murphy’s omission was not a reflection of his ability but rather the nature of the pitches being used this summer. “A lot of the wickets we’re playing on at present are certainly more seam-friendly than spin-friendly,” he said, calling last week’s Adelaide Test—where Lyon played a major role—an “anomaly.”

“You’ve just got to play what surface you’re presented with,” Smith added. “If Nathan was here, we’d probably still be having the same conversation. It’s certainly nothing to do with Todd’s skill.”

Jhye Richardson is in contention to return to the Test side after being added to the squad. The 29-year-old last played a Test during the 2021 Ashes, where he claimed a five-wicket haul in Adelaide. Smith welcomed the prospect of Richardson’s comeback after a lengthy injury layoff.

“He’s got a great set of skills—swings the ball both ways, seams it, accurate,” Smith said. “He’s a bit skiddier than some of the others and bowls decent pace. When he’s had opportunities at this level, he’s been outstanding.”

Smith also backed all-rounder Cameron Green to find form after a modest return so far in the series, with 76 runs in four innings and two wickets from 37 overs. “He’s bowling nicely and picked up a key wicket last game,” Smith said. “With the bat, he’s had some good starts. It’s about turning those into bigger scores.”

The captain also highlighted Green’s value in the field. “He saves a truckload of runs at gully—balls no one else is stopping. Hopefully he can have a really good week.”

Smith himself returns to action after missing the Adelaide Test due to a vestibular issue. He confirmed he is fully fit and ready to go. “I’m feeling 100%,” he said. “It was a shame to miss that Test—it looked like a pretty nice wicket for batting—but it was the right call at the time.”

Australia will now look to make the most of seam-friendly conditions as they aim to gain the upper hand in the Ashes at the MCG.