Murphy, Richardson in Australia squad for Boxing Day Test; Lyon, Cummins out

Australia have called up off-spinner Todd Murphy and fast bowler Jhye Richardson to the Australia squad for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. They've been added while Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins have been omitted. Steve Smith should return and lead the team in Cummins's absence, pending his recovery from an inner-ear issue that sidelined him in Adelaide.

Australia squad for Boxing Day Test: Steve Smith (c), 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

Cricket Australia have confirmed that Lyon needs surgery after having torn his right hamstring during the third Test in Adelaide. The injury occurred when he dived to save a boundary on Day 5. Murphy is now in line to make his Test return at home after last playing the format in Sri Lanka in February this year.

Incumbent skipper Cummins, meanwhile, takes a step back, as he had hinted in the press conference after leading the team to a series win in Adelaide, to manage his post-recovery workload better. It remains to be seen if he will return for the new year's Test in Sydney.

If chosen to replace Cummins, Richardson could end a four-year wait to play a Test again, having last played in Ashes 2021. He underwent his third shoulder surgery earlier this year and has been training with the team through the first three Tests, gradually increasing his bowling loads. Earlier this month, Richardson showed his readiness by bowling 26 overs and picking a five-wicket haul against England Lions.