Australia opt for four-pace attack for Boxing day Ashes Test
Updated On: 26 December, 2025 09:35 AM IST | Melbourne | AFP
Skipper Steve Smith confirms Australia will field four fast bowlers and no spinner for Boxing Day Test against England at MCG, citing grass cover and conditions favouring seam movement
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Pacer Mitchell Starc during Australia’s practice session at the MCG on Wednesday. Pics/Getty Images
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Australia will take an all-pace attack into the fourth Ashes Test, skipper Steve Smith said Thursday, while Josh Inglis was dropped with selectors preferring Usman Khawaja.
The hosts head into the Boxing Day Test with an unassailable 3-0 lead over England, but are without pace spearhead Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon. Cummins is being managed after his return in the third Adelaide Test after a lengthy lay off with a lower back injury and will play no further part in the Ashes. Lyon had surgery this week for a torn hamstring and faces a long recovery. Todd Murphy was called up as cover for Lyon, but Smith said they had opted for a pace attack given the “quite furry” surface at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. “We’re going to be playing four quicks and no spinner. [The pitch] has 10 millimetres of grass, quite furry, quite green,” he said.
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