Australia will go into the Boxing Day Test without a spinner after picking a 12-man, pace-heavy squad to tackle demoralised England.
After Nathan Lyon suffered a long-term hamstring injury in the Ashes-clinching win in Adelaide, Victorian offspinner Todd Murphy was called into the squad.
But with the MCG pitch having up to 10mm of grass, Australia have opted to leave Murphy out in a bold and historic decision.
Stand-in captain Steve Smith, who returns after a battle with vertigo symptoms, will hold off until the toss on Friday before confirming the XI.
It will be the third time in Australia’s last five Tests they have not picked a spinner.
Lyon wasn’t selected for the day-night Test in Jamaica in July, as well as in the Ashes Test in Brisbane.
But it is a gamble for an Australian team not to select a spinner at the MCG, where the legendary Shane Warne and Lyon have had success.
“A lot of the wickets we’re playing on at present are certainly more seam-friendly than spin-friendly,” Smith said on Thursday.
“Last week (in Adelaide) was an anomaly; we saw some rough and we saw Nathan come into play, big time.
“It’s a tricky one.
“You’ve just got to play what surface you’re presented with, and this one out here looks like it’s going to offer a fair bit of assistance for the seam bowlers.
Todd Murphy was called into the wider squad to replace Nathan Lyon. (AAP: Con Chronis)
“If Nathan was here, we’d probably still be having the same conversation as well.
“It’s certainly nothing to do with Todd’s skill. We know he’s a quality bowler.”
Joining Lyon and captain Pat Cummins on the sidelines is Josh Inglis, with quicks Jhye Richardson, Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser included.
One of those three will miss out.
Luckless allrounder Beau Webster was an option to replace struggling Cameron Green due to his ability to bowl medium pace and spin.
But selectors are sticking with Green, who will slide down to bat at No.7 after wicketkeeper Alex Carey’s player-of-the-match 106 and 72 at the Adelaide Oval.
Veteran Usman Khawaja, who turned 39 last week, was preferred to Inglis after making 82 and 40 in the third Test in Adelaide.
Richardson is in contention to play his first Test in more than four years after a torturous run with injury.
The 29-year-old has impressed when playing for Australia in all three formats, including three Tests.
“He’s just got a great set of skills,” Smith said. “Swings the ball both ways.
“Seams it, accurate, a bit more skiddy than some of the others.
“When he’s had the opportunity at this level, he’s been outstanding.”
Doggett and Neser played in the second Test in Brisbane, but made way in Adelaide when Cummins and Lyon returned.
After retaining the Ashes in only 11 days, Australia will look to continue England’s tour of misery by completing a 5-0 whitewash for the first time since 2013-14.
Australia’s Boxing Day Ashes Test squadTravis HeadJake WeatheraldMarnus LabuschagneSteve Smith (capt)Usman KhawajaAlex CareyCameron GreenMichael NeserMitchell StarcJhye RichardsonBrendan DoggettScott Boland