Australia has announced its lineup for the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, making some notable changes to the team. Todd Murphy has been dropped to make way for Mitch Marsh and Cameron Green. The team’s XI for the Manchester match will have Marsh at No. 6, Green at No. 7, and Alex Carey at No. 8. David Warner retains his spot as the opener, while Josh Hazlewood returns to the bowling attack, replacing Scott Boland.
The decision to leave out Murphy is significant as Australia aims to secure a victory that would give them their first Ashes series win in England since 2001. In an interesting move, Australia will not field a frontline spinner for the first time since January 2012. Instead, they are relying on part-time spinner Travis Head at Old Trafford.
The decision takes into account Murphy’s limited involvement in the previous Test at Headingley, where he bowled just 9.3 overs, as well as the anticipated wet weather for most of the match in Manchester.
Captain Pat Cummins defended the team’s selection, emphasizing that it should not be perceived as a lack of faith in Murphy, who had a one-match stint as a replacement for the injured Nathan Lyon.