Australia are in no rush to lock in their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test, with stand-in captain Steve Smith revealing selectors want another close look at a “quite furry” Melbourne Cricket Ground surface before finalising their pace-heavy attack.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Despite confirming Australia will field an all-pace bowling unit for the fourth Ashes Test, Smith said the exact combination of quicks will only be settled after a final inspection of the wicket on Friday. Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser and returning fast bowler Jhye Richardson are vying for the last two bowling spots.
“We’ve landed on a 12, we just want to take a look at the wicket tomorrow,” Smith said. “It’s got about 10mm of grass on it, quite furry, quite green. I dare say it’s going to offer quite a bit, particularly on day one with the weather looking cold and overcast.”Smith added that conditions through the week appear “conducive” for seam bowling, reinforcing Australia’s decision to go without a spinner, even if Nathan Lyon had been available.“If Nathan was available, we’d probably still be having the same conversation,” Smith said. “So it’s certainly nothing to do with Todd Murphy’s skill.”
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The delay in naming the XI also comes amid enforced changes. Regular skipper Pat Cummins has been rested for workload management, while Lyon’s hamstring injury has ruled him out for the remainder of the series. Smith returns to captain the side after missing the third Test with an inner-ear issue, saying he is now feeling “100 per cent”.“It was a shame to miss that one,” Smith said. “I was watching from the hotel and wished I could have been out there, but it was the right call at the time.”Smith’s return reshapes the batting order. Usman Khawaja, who made 82 and 40 after a late recall in Adelaide, will drop to No.5, while Alex Carey remains at six following his match-winning century in the Ashes-clinching third Test. Cameron Green is set to bat at seven, edging out Josh Inglis.The bowling focus, however, remains the main talking point. Neser is chasing his first red-ball Test appearance, Doggett offers continuity after Brisbane, and Richardson is closing in on his first Test in four years.“It’s exciting to see Richardson back into the fold,” Smith said. “We know the skills he can possess. When he’s had opportunities at this level, he’s been outstanding.”Australia hold a 3-0 lead in the series, but Smith insisted selection decisions will be dictated purely by conditions, not the scoreboard, as the hosts look to make full use of what could be a lively Boxing Day pitch.Australia XII for fourth Test:
- 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
