Australia’s Cummins and Lyon Out of Fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne

Australia’s captain Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon will miss the final two Ashes Tests against England in Melbourne and Sydney, Cricket Australia announced on Tuesday.

Reasons for Absence

Cummins, who made his first appearance since July in the third Test in Adelaide, has been rested to manage his back issue. The 29-year-old paceman will now focus on regaining his fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka from February 7.
Lyon, on the other hand, has been ruled out for an extended period after undergoing surgery on his right hamstring. The 38-year-old off-spinner tore the hamstring while fielding on the final day at Adelaide Oval.

Squad Updates

In a 15-player squad announced by Cricket Australia, Steve Smith has been named to deputise for Cummins as captain. Smith missed the Adelaide fixture with vertigo but is set to lead the side in Melbourne.
Todd Murphy, who has taken 22 wickets at an average of 28.13 in his seven Tests, has been called up in Lyon’s place. Murphy is now in line for his maiden Test in Australia.
Other additions to the squad include Jhye Richardson, who has been added to the group and is in contention to play. Richardson will compete with Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser for a spot in the XI.

Selection Dilemmas

Australia must now decide which batter will make way to accommodate Smith’s return. Usman Khawaja, 39, hit a half-century in Adelaide after being drafted in as a last-minute replacement, but he and Josh Inglis seem the most vulnerable.
Cameron Green has not passed fifty in the series and registered scores of nought and seven in the third Test but is in the side as an all-rounder and offers a valuable option with his right-arm seam bowling.

Australia Squad for Fourth Ashes Test

The 15-player squad for the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne is as follows:
– Steve Smith
– 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

Source: Link