Breaking: Todd murphy Named to Replace Nathan Lyon in Melbourne Ashes Test; Spin Set to shape the MCG Challenge

Melbourne – Australia have pivoted to Todd Murphy to cover the absence of Nathan Lyon after the veteran off-spinner sustained a right hamstring injury that requires surgery and will keep him out for an extended period. Murphy has been selected in a 15-man squad for the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with Jhye Richardson still in contention to return, as Pat Cummins remains under a rest plan for his back care.

Lyon, aged 38, was hurt on the final day of the Adelaide Oval triumph and is expected to miss a significant spell. Cricket Australia confirmed the surgery decision after a medical consultation in Melbourne. Murphy steps in ahead of CA-contracted Matthew Kuhnemann, Shield spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, and veteran legspinner Mitchell Swepson.

The 25-year-old offspinner has taken 22 wickets across seven Tests, all away from home, and has started the year strongly in Shield fixtures, including three matches at the MCG for Victoria where he claimed six wickets at 25.33. If selected in Melbourne,Murphy would mark the first time in 14 years that Australia field a lone specialist spinner at home who isn’t Lyon.

Murphy previously filled Lyon’s role during the 2023 Ashes tour, appearing at Headingley and The Oval as Australia’s sole spinner. His most recent Test appearance came in Galle earlier this year, where Australia used a three-man spin attack alongside Lyon and Kuhnemann, before rotations saw him omitted for a second Test in the same series.

In home conditions, Kuhnemann has not been viewed as lyon’s clear understudy, with left-arm orthodox bowling historically less impactful for Australia.Murphy has performed well this year after a shoulder issue curtailed last season, and his track record suggests a chance to press home his case on familiar surfaces.

Murphy’s current figures include 10 wickets at 23.70 and a strike rate around 55.80 in first-class cricket this season, though his shield appearances have been limited by the dominance of Victoria’s pace stocks. He earned selection ahead of Rocchiccioli for a recent Australia A game against England Lions in brisbane, where he took three wickets.

Rocchiccioli, at 28, has been a leading spinner in Shield cricket in recent years, with 20 wickets at 28.20 this summer and a strong record at the WACA. He has played at the MCG for Australia A and against Victoria,but he was not the preferred option in the most recent Shield game,as Murphy was selected for Australia A duty elsewhere.

Pitch expectations at the MCG point toward spin relevance, a trend echoed by the ground’s curator after recent Shield action. The pitch preparation, cooled by cool conditions and lengthy coverings, has previously allowed spin to influence results, offering Murphy a meaningful chance to impact the series at a venue famed for hosting big turning days.

The Australian squad for the fourth Test remains led by Steven Smith as captain, with a reshaped pace-bark to fill one seam-attack vacancy left by Cummins’ rest. The squad includes Boland, Carey, Doggett, Green, Head, inglis, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Murphy, Neser, Richardson, Starc, Weatherald, and Beau Webster.

Key Facts at a Glance

Evergreen insights for the long haul

The Melbourne call-up for Murphy underscores a broader debate in Australia about balancing spin and pace on home tracks.If Murphy seizes his chance, selectors may reassess the reliance on Lyon’s full-time presence, especially on surfaces that offer even a hint of turn. The decision will also hinge on Richardson’s form and fitness,as well as Kuhnemann’s readiness to step back into the test arena. As Australia navigates this fixture, depth in spin options could influence future selections across both white-ball and red-ball formats.

Looking ahead, continued success for Murphy at the MCG could spark a rethink of Australia’s spin architecture for the summer, with potential implications for how the national team approaches surface management, training rotations, and the strategic use of left-arm orthodox options in traditional Test climates.

Reader questions

• Do you believe Murphy can adapt quickly to Melbourne conditions and justify a lone-spinner setup at home?
• who should partner the pace attack if Cummins remains rested and Lyon is out, given the current options?

Stay with us for updates as the fourth Test at the MCG approaches and team selections firm up.

england’s Ashes bid in the balance after another bruising day in Adelaide

Adelaide, Australia – England’s hopes of turning the tide in this year’s Ashes were dented again on day four as Zak Crawley produced a lone shining spark but the tourists slipped closer to defeat. Crawley top-scored with 85, yet his dismissal late in the evening session-stumped by Alex Carey off Nathan Lyon-left Australia poised to take a 3-0 series lead with four wickets still needed on day five to seal the win at home.

England arrived in Adelaide with ambitions of ending a arduous spell Down Under, only to encounter a relentless Australian attack. Across the series, England have managed 3.79 runs per over, while Australia have thrived at 4.34, a disparity Crawley attributed to the quality gap between the sides and the way Australia have set fields and controlled the tempo.

“They’ve bowled very well, and haven’t given us a lot,” crawley said. “when you look at Boland, for example, he rarely misses. It’s hard to play the way we’ve played in the past in these conditions.” He added that Australia deserve credit for their disciplined, attritional style and how they have restricted England’s scoring options, especially in long passages of play.

Crawley also praised Australia’s bowling unit as “phenomenal,” telling TNT Sports that their attack is the best he has faced,with Lyon’s grip and spin making the ball move. “They don’t give you anything, and they’re relentless,” he said, insisting England had come up short in three recent games against a side that has been exceptional on their home soil.

The public reaction in England to the two-nil series deficit has centered on the team’s attitude and approach, but Crawley emphasised that England are simply being bested by a superior unit in these conditions. “They’ve played really well. We’ve been a bit short of our best, and that’s on us,” he stated, stressing that the focus should be on improving rather than chasing excuses.

Crawley’s innings, though not frantic, was steady and measured.He faced his first 28 balls with just one run, before building a more considerable 85 and steering England to hopeful, if dwindling, momentum. His dismissal, however, arrived at a critical moment as Carey’s sharp work behind the stumps cut short a promising stand and kept Australia firmly in control.

England now face an uphill climb. They require 228 more runs with four wickets in hand to keep the series alive on day five, a scenario that would demand a dramatic turnaround in Melbourne and sydney if the Ashes are to be kept in play. crawley, for his part, remained pragmatic about the path ahead, insisting the team will keep fighting and approach the remaining fixtures with renewed intent.

Australia’s leadership and field positions were a clear factor in England’s struggles, and the visitors will need to reevaluate their approach if they are to upset the odds in the final two matches. the home side’s depth and discipline have been the deciding factors so far, with the Adelaide pitch offering assistance to a visiting attack that has had to earn its rewards.

Key figures and what the numbers say

Looking ahead,the challenge for England is clear: convert small windows of opportunity into a defendable target on the final day,while ensuring new partnerships can stabilise the innings. For Australia, the path is straightforward-press home the advantage, close out the series at home, and celebrate a fourth consecutive home Ashes triumph if they take the remaining two wickets on day five.

Analysts note that English cricket has often been most vulnerable when forced onto the back foot in foreign conditions, where patience and discipline trump all-out aggression. The coming days will test england’s resilience and tactical adaptability under pressure, with plenty at stake for both the players and their supporters across England and Australia.

For additional context and live-match analysis, see coverage from major cricket outlets and governing bodies.Stay connected as this series moves toward a dramatic conclusion.

What do you think England must change to salvage the series in Melbourne and Sydney? Can Crawley or another batsman steer the team to an unlikely win?

Would you bet on England turning the momentum in the next match, or do Australia’s bowlers already look set to seal the deal?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation as we track every twist in this Ashes clash.

Reporting updates and insights from the field will continue to emerge as the final day unfolds, with further commentary and analysis available on trusted cricket platforms.

Editor’s note: This article draws on the match events and post-play remarks from day four in Adelaide. For deeper game-by-game context, readers can consult additional coverage from ESPNcricinfo and the International Cricket Council.

Live coverage and detailed reports are available at reputable cricket portals and official standings pages.

Follow the ongoing series developments and expert commentary as the scene shifts to Melbourne and Sydney.

– Breaking sports coverage

Further reading: ESPNcricinfo Ashes coverage, ICC Cricket, BBC Sport Cricket

Share this breaking update: Share | Comment below: Join the discussion