Australian selectors have recalled Victorian off-spinner Todd Murphy to replace the injured Nathan Lyon in the squad for the fourth Ashes Test beginning in Melbourne on Boxing Day.
Captain Pat Cummins has been rested as he manages his return from a back injury, while pace trio Jhye Richardson, Brendan Doggett and second Test hero Michael Neser are among the 15 players named on Tuesday.
Lyon suffered a hamstring injury late in the third Test in Adelaide diving for a ball fielding on the boundary.
He had been left out of the second Test XI in Brisbane but returned in Adelaide and took five crucial wickets – including the second-innings dismissals of Zak Crawley, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – to remind selectors of his value.
The 38-year-old will now have surgery to repair his right hamstring and the Australian camp confirmed the procedure will rule him out for the remainder of the summer and sideline him for an extended period.
Australia are set to play two Tests against Bangladesh in August before travelling to South Africa for a three-Test series in September. Next summer brings a red ball showdown with New Zealand.
Murphy, 25, last played for Australia against Sri Lanka in February and has 22 wickets from seven Tests at an average of 28.
Although he was omitted from Cricket Australia’s list of contracted players in March, Murphy was selected ahead of a crop of accomplished first class spinners, including Corey Rocchiccioli, Mitchell Swepson and Matthew Kuhenmann. Kuhenmanndoes have a national contract and was in the Australian squad for the West Indies tour in July.
Murphy played for Australia A against the England Lions in Brisbane earlier this month, taking three wickets, and dismissed NSW’s top three batters – including Sam Konstas and Kurtis Patterson – in the second innings of the Sheffield Shield match at the MCG in October.
Steve Smith has been named captain in the absence of Cummins, signalling he has recovered from the ear complaint that forced him out of the third Test.
Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja have all been included as Australia continues to search for a settled middle order.
Australia: Steve Smith (captain), 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.
