Australia makes three changes to squad for Boxing Day Test with four-man pace attack confirmed
Updated . First published
Australia has selected a four-man pace attack for the Boxing Day Test after stand-in captain Steve Smith confirmed 12 players for the team.
Smith said the selectors want to wait to inspect the pitch before naming the XI but confirmed Todd Murphy will miss out.
Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Josh Inglis are the three who won't play from Adelaide. Smith comes back after illness while Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett and Jhye Richardson are all in the 12-man squad.
READ MORE: Why this Joe Root reaction is unlikely to happen again
READ MORE: Unlikely challengers tipped to crash three-horse race
READ MORE: LawConnect plays underdog as brutal conditions threaten
Steve Smith. Nine
Cummins and Lyon are both out through injury while Inglis has been axed in favour of Smith, meaning Usman Khawaja will hold on to his spot.
Neser, Doggett and Richardson will fight for two spots to team up with Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc. Richardson will not be on bowling restrictions if selected.
Smith said selectors weren't leaning towards any pace bowler in particular.
"Not at this stage, we want to have a look at the wicket and see how we best manage our attack with all the options we have there," he said.
"It's exciting to see Richardson back into the fold, he's had a long lay off and we know the skills he possesses. He's done it before against England in an Ashes ... it's great to see him back on the table."
Jhye Richardson in the nets. Getty
The captain also addressed his health after a bout of vertigo and said he's "feeling 100 per cent" but admitted it was the right call for him to miss Adelaide.
Australia 12-man squad
Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Brendan Doggett
