Australia selects four fast bowlers and no spinner for the Boxing Day Test, with Steve Smith returning as captain and Josh Inglis dropped.
MELBOURNE: Australia will field an all-pace attack for the fourth Ashes Test, captain Steve Smith confirmed.
The hosts have an unassailable 3-0 series lead heading into the Boxing Day match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Smith said the decision to omit a spinner was based on the “quite furry” and green pitch, which has 10 millimetres of grass.
“I dare say it’s going to offer quite a bit, particularly if (day one) is similar conditions to today, quite cold and overcast,” he said.
The attack will be led by Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, with one of Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, or Brendan Doggett to be omitted.
Australia are without pace spearhead Pat Cummins, who is being managed after returning from a back injury, and spinner Nathan Lyon, who is recovering from hamstring surgery.
Smith returns to the side at number four after missing the third Test with vertigo.
He declared himself “100 percent” fit to resume the captaincy in Cummins’ continued absence.
Usman Khawaja, who scored 82 and 40 filling in for Smith, retains his place and will bat at five.
Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis has been dropped from the 12-man squad, with Alex Carey to keep wicket.
“You just got to play what surface you’re presented with,” Smith added of the bowling strategy.
