CRICKET: Murphy replaces Lyon in Australia squad, Cummins out of rest of Ashes series

SYDNEY — Spinner Todd Murphy has been added to the Australia squad in place of injured Nathan Lyon for this week’s fourth Ashes Test, while captain Pat Cummins will miss the remainder of the series as his back injury continues to be managed.

Lyon was ruled out for the rest of the series after sustaining a hamstring injury during Australia’s 82-run victory over England in the third Test in Adelaide on Sunday. That win sealed the series for Australia and ensured they retained the Ashes.

Steve Smith was included in the squad despite missing the third Test due to a bout of vertigo. He will captain the side in Cummins’ absence, having already led Australia in the first two Tests of the series.

Cummins, who claimed figures of six for 117 in Adelaide, is still recovering from a back injury and is not expected to play any further part in the series. He could be replaced in the bowling attack by Brendan Doggett or Michael Neser, both of whom have already featured in the series.

“Pat won’t play any part in the rest of the series,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald told reporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

“We were taking on some risk, and we’ve now won the series, which was the goal. Putting him at further risk and jeopardizing his long-term fitness is not something we want to do. Pat is really comfortable with that decision.”

Jhye Richardson has also been called into the squad as an additional pace option after strong domestic performances following his return from shoulder surgery. Richardson trained with the team in Adelaide earlier this week.

Murphy, 25, has played seven Tests since making his debut in India in 2023 and has long been regarded as Lyon’s successor. All-rounder Beau Webster, who has yet to play in the series, also provides part-time off-spin and could be another option to replace Lyon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from Friday.

“Todd has been an important part of key overseas series. He played in the last Ashes in 2023, and we feel he’s back to his best,” McDonald said.

“We’ve got some decisions to make — whether we play a spinner or not. We’ll work through that.”

McDonald added that Lyon, 38, who underwent surgery earlier on Tuesday, was “devastated” by the injury but had already set his sights on returning for Australia’s tour of India in early 2027.

“It’s going to be a tough period for him to get back to where he was, but he still wants to do it, and that’s the main thing,” McDonald said.

Top-order batsman Usman Khawaja retained his place in the squad despite being dropped for the Adelaide Test, only to be recalled at the last minute when Smith was ruled out.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (captain), 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.

-Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; editing by Ed Osmond and Shri Navaratnam/Reuters