Josh Inglis thrown out, Nathan Lyon’s successor snubbed as Australia announce Boxing Day Test team

The Australia National Cricket Team have officially revealed their playing XII for the fourth Test of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 against the England National Cricket Team.

Nathan Lyon's replacement, Todd Murphy, could not get a place in the Australian team for the home Boxing Day Test as the selectors have decided to go ahead with an all-pace attack.

Josh Inglis dropped as Usman Khawaja retained

Australia have already won the Ashes 2025-26 by winning the first three matches on the trot. They will head into the Boxing Day Test without some of their key players, including Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood - all of whom have been ruled out of the Ashes with an injury.

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Steve Smith has achieved full fitness, and he will serve as the stand-in captain, but Australia are yet to settle on their final XI for the fourth Test.

This has been because of the surface on the offer at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the selectors want to have one final look at the pitch before finalizing the playing XI. Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, and Jhye Richardson are battling for the final two positions as the rest of the nine players are locked in.

Josh Inglis has been dropped from the squad, and Todd Murphy has been left out due to the green top being offered for the game.

It's exciting to see Richardson back into the fold - Steve Smith

Speaking to the media, the Australia stand-in skipper, Steve Smith, said that they are excited to see Richardson back on the field.

"It's exciting to see Richardson back into the fold, he's had a pretty long layoff with injury, and we know the skills he can possess," Smith said.

"He's done it against England before in an Ashes. We've seen when he's had the opportunity at this level, he's been outstanding. We've landed on a 12, we just want to take a look at the wicket tomorrow. IWe're going to be playing four quicks and no spinner. (The pitch) has 10mm of grass, quite furry, quite green."

Steve Smith also admitted that the conditions will be difficult for the batters in Melbourne and spoke about why Todd Murphy was kept out of the side. He stated:

"I dare say it's going to offer quite a bit, particularly (day one) is similar conditions to today, quite cold and overcast so I dare say there's going to be quite a bit of movement.

"You just got to play what surface you're presented with; this one looks like it's going to offer a fair bit of assistance for the seam bowlers and the weather throughout the week looks conducive for that too.

"I think if Nathan (Lyon) was (available), we'd probably still be having the same conversation as well, so it's certainly nothing to do with Todd's skill."

Australia XII for the fourth Test vs England:

Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson

Also Read: Ravi Shastri chosen to fix England Cricket after Ashes 2025-26 disaster; Brendon McCullum shown exit door