Australia has named its 15-player squad for the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne, with Jhye Richardson and Todd Murphy replacing captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
With two pillars of Australia’s bowling attack sidelined, selectors face a significant dilemma ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
Richardson is firming for a Test return after flying into Melbourne, with the quick looking poised to fill the void left by Cummins.
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Pat Cummins embraces Nathan Lyon after securing victory in the third Test at the Adelaide Oval. Gareth Copley via Getty Images
With the skipper rested following the Ashes-retaining win in Adelaide, momentum is building for the 29-year-old’s inclusion in the Australian XI.
Despite Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett both featuring earlier in the series, all signs point to Richardson getting the nod for Boxing Day, in what would be his first Test appearance since 2021.
The move is backed by SEN’s Tom Morris, who reported that Richardson’s Big Bash League team, the Perth Scorchers, view him as the firm favourite to break into the starting side.
“The whispers out of the Perth Scorchers, and they would know if he’s going to be available for them or not, they believe that he’s every chance to play on Boxing Day to come in for Cummins,” he told SEN’s Big Bash coverage on Monday night.
“How unlucky for Neser, and to a lesser extent, Doggett as well.
“They see Jhye Richardson, if he’s fit, as a four or five-year prospect, so they may as well get him in if they can.”
Perth Scorchers star Jhye Richardson. Getty Images for Cricket Australia
Former Aussie spinner Bryce McGain has admitted that Neser would be stiff to miss out after a five-wicket haul in the second innings in Brisbane, but believes Richardson’s pace provides the ultimate shock factor against England.
“[Neser] would be [unlucky] but they often say horses for courses,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“Neser’s course is the Gabba, and he’s gone and delivered up there. He’s been a major contributor to the Ashes being won, and that’s part of this outstanding story that it’s not just been the big four [of Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc and Lyon], if you like.”
McGain is convinced England lacks an answer for Richardson, whose rare combination of raw pace and swing presents a nightmare match-up for the tourists.
“This is a great move. Seeing him just a few weeks ago, he is bowling fast, and the ball is moving,” he said.
“It’s going to be something that England has not experienced. This will be over 140-145kph, outswing, keeps it up, and he’s got a slippery short ball.
Jhye Richardson celebrates the final wicket of Jimmy Anderson to secure a dominant victory in the 2021 Adelaide Ashes Test. Getty
“This is going from bad to worse for them, I can assure you. He is in really good bowling form.
“England is going to be shocked if this happens, and it will have a big impact.”
Richardson’s last appearance in the baggy green dates back to December 2021, when he claimed five second-innings wickets to secure a massive 275-run win over England in Adelaide.
The Perth product boasts a formidable Test record, with 11 wickets from his three appearances coming at a lean average of 22.09 and a clinical strike rate of 48.6.
Richardson is back bowling at full tilt, having spent the bulk of 2025 in rehabilitation following major shoulder surgery in January.
Earlier this month, he ripped through the England Lions with five wickets for Australia A in Brisbane.
Meanwhile, Murphy steps in for the injured Lyon, taking over the specialist spin role.
Lyon suffered a hamstring injury after fielding a ball on the boundary during the final session in Adelaide.
The 38-year-old is set to undergo surgery on his right hamstring, ruling him out for an extended period.
Murphy is widely seen as Lyon’s long-term successor, with the Victorian native bringing a vital home-turf advantage to Boxing Day.
Steve Smith also reclaims his place in the squad after vertigo-like symptoms forced a dramatic late withdrawal from the third Test.
The Boxing Day Test gets underway this Friday with Australia hunting a 4-0 series lead.