Australia has opted for an all-out pace attack for the upcoming fourth Ashes 2023 Test against England which begins from July 19 in Manchester as Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green returned to the playing XI.
This means that Scott Boland and Todd Murphy were benched for this Test and Australia will go into a Test without a frontline spinner for the first time in more than 10 years. The last time Australia did not field a specialist spinner was against India in Perth in 2011-12, early in Nathan Lyon's career.
Cummins was at pains to point out that dropping the 22-year-old Murphy is not a reflection of how they view him.
"Nathan Lyon is the greatest offspinner we've ever had so it's not quite apples for apples. We are excited by Todd, we think he's fantastic. I would have loved to use him a bit more last week, (but) conditions just favored pace bowling.
We played a test in Hobart last year in the Ashes where Nath didn't bowl an over. It's all conditions-based. We are excited by Todd, we think he's a gun, we love having him around, and he's got a big future. It was more conditions the way I used him, as opposed to how he bowled,” Cummins was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au.
This also means that Australia enjoys a very deep batting order with Green, fit again after missing the Leeds Test with a hamstring injury, has been listed to bat at seven, behind Mitch Marsh at No.6, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey to come in at No.8 as the Aussies rejigged the balance of their side to squeeze in their two allrounders.
David Warner has been retained despite speculation over the opener's position after being dismissed for single-figures in both innings by his nemesis Stuart Broad in the third Test.
"Davey didn't have his best game last week at Headingley, but before that, he has looked really good. He has had three 50-run (opening) partnerships, which can be rare over in England,” said Cummins.
Australia leads the series 2-1 by winning the first two Tests, while England made a comeback by coming out as victors in the third Test.
Australia XI for 4th Ashes 2023 Test:
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (WK), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Josh Hazlewood
