Australia have named their XI for the fourth Test of the 2023 Ashes, with Todd Murphy dropped as the teams move from Headingley to Old Trafford.
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Australia faced a dilemma over how to balance their team after defeat in Leeds, with Mitchell Marsh impressing in the absence of Cameron Green due to injury. With Green fit again, there were several ways Pat Cummins could have chosen to rebalance his side.
While all of leaving out David Warner and picking a makeshift opener, leaving out one of the two all-rounders, or going in with just two frontline seamers were options, Australia have chosen to axe off-spinner Murphy, peripheral in a three-wicket defeat in the third Test.
Murphy bowled less than 10 overs in the game, including just two in the chase. He came into the series as a replacement for the injured Nathan Lyon, having impressed on debut in India earlier this year.
The selection decision means Old Trafford will mark Australia’s first Test without a frontline spinner since January 2012, when an all-seam attack skittled India for 161 and 171.
Australia lead 2-1 in the five-match series, and just need to avoid defeat in one of the last two Tests to retain the Ashes. With rain forecast for days four and five, Australia have opted for the deepest possible batting line-up, with Cameron Green carded for No.7 and Alex Carey at No.8.
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Australia have also recalled Josh Hazlewood for Scott Boland. Boland came into the series with a bowling average of 13.55 after a stunning start to his Test career, but has struggled in the Ashes, taking two wickets at an average of 115.50 and conceding nearly five runs an over. Hazlewood has eight wickets in two games this series at 32.50 apiece.
The fourth Test starts tomorrow (Wednesday, July 18).
Australia XI for Old Trafford Ashes Test: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood.
