Australia have clinched the Ashes urn after winning first three Tests.
Australia are in no hurry to finalize their playing XI for the Boxing Day Ashes Test, with stand-in captain Steve Smith revealing selectors want to inspect the MCG pitch again before taking a call on their bowling attack.
Australia sealed the Ashes urn in just 11 days, thrashing England by eight wickets each in Perth and Brisbane before registering 82-run victory at the Adelaide Oval.
For the penultimate Test, the hosts will go with all-out pace attack but Smith said the exact combination of quicks will only be settled after a final inspection of the surface on Friday (December 26).
Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser and returning fast bowler Jhye Richardson are competing for the last two bowling slots.
“We’ve landed on a 12, we just want to take a look at the wicket tomorrow,” Smith said in the pre-match presser. “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 seem “conducive” for seam bowling and they would have gone 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.”
The delay in naming the XI also has a lot to do with forced changes. Regular skipper Pat Cummins has been rested for workload management, while Lyon has been ruled out for the remainder of the series due to hamstring injury.
Smith returns to lead the side after missing the third Test in Adelaide Oval due to vertigo symptoms.
“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 scored 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 debut Test cap, 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’s XII for MCG 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