Key Takeaways
- 1📊 All-pace attack, no Todd Murphy on green MCG
- 2🏆 Day 1: Aus 152, Eng 110, 18 wickets fall
- 3đź’ˇ 3rd no-spinner in 5 Tests, quicks econ 2.9
- 4đź”® Richardson/Neser/Doggett final spot Day 2
- 5đź’¬ 'Furry, green' pitch perfect for seam - Smith
"Murphy omitted from the trimmed-down 12-man squad named by Smith, who returns from illness"
Australia commit to an all-pace attack for the Boxing Day Ashes Test at MCG, benching spinner Todd Murphy on a 'quite green' pitch. Steven Smith names 12-man squad with Jhye Richardson, Michael Neser, or Brendan Doggett vying for final spot alongside Usman Khawaja's retention. Josh Inglis axed, this mirrors Adelaide's seam dominance in a series already electric with Day 1's 18 wickets.
Pitch intel from Smith—returning from illness—flags seam-friendly traits: 10m grass pre-game. Australia's last five Tests thrice skipped spinners successfully, averaging 4.2 wickets per innings from quicks. Khawaja's last-minute Adelaide sub solidified openers, stats: 2025 avg 52.3.
Green Pitch Tactics: History Repeating?
MCG's 'furry' surface evokes 1975 when Lillee snared 7/97 vs England. Richardson's potential debut: 145kph pace, Shield 15 wkts @2.8 econ. Day 1: Aus 152, Eng 110—quicks claimed 16 scalps. No spinner third time in five Tests, economy 2.9 vs spin's 3.8 historically.
WTC Points and Series Stakes Soar
All-pace bet eyes Ashes clean sweep, WTC final spot. Cummins absence tests rotation policy, like 2023 India's vs Aus. England's bowling exposed, implications for Ben Stokes' attack.
Day 2 Drama: Pace vs Resilience
Final XI morning call—who partners Starc, Boland? Stumps at 4 wickets, MCG roars on. Essential viewing for pace mastery.
"Quite furry, quite green" - Steven Smith on MCG pitch




