Australia makes two big changes for Fourth Ashes Test in gamble not seen since 2012

Australia has made two big changes to its team for the Fourth Test with a gamble not seen since in more than 11 years.

Aussie selectors have rolled the dice on an all-out pace attack to secure the Ashes in the Fourth Test.

Australia confirmed two big selection changes for the Old Trafford Test with Cameron Green returning at the expense of spinner Todd Murphy.

Green’s return will give Australia five seam-bowling options with Mitchell Marsh also keeping his spot in the team after scoring a hundred in his return to the Aussie team during the Third Test defeat.

It is the first time since 2012 that Australia goes into a Test without a recognised spinner since January 2012.

Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Novice spinner Murphy bowled just 9.3 overs at Headingley following Nathan Lyon’s tour-ending calf injury in the second Test at Lord’s.

The other major selection shake-up sees quick Scott Boland replaced by Josh Hazlewood after his failures to make an impact during the Third Test.

The other big gamble surrounds David Warner’s spot at the top of the order with the batter continuing to be lunch meat for Stuart Broad and the English attack.

There were signs earlier this week Warner was going to keep his spot, despite managing just five runs in total as he fell twice to Broad during England’s three-wicket win in the third Test at Headingley.

Todd Murphy is out. Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images.

road has now dismissed the left-hander 17 times in Tests and could equal the record for most dismissals by a bowler against a single batsman at this level — held by Australia great Glenn McGrath, who claimed the wicket of former England captain Mike Atherton 19 times — if he does another double over Warner in Manchester.

Australia goes into the Manchester Test with one of the deepest batting line-ups in recent memory with keeper Alex Carey expected to bat at No. 8.

Australia’s tail has struggled to score runs in the series and a deeper batting line-up appears to be a move to address that issue.

Aussie captain Pat Cummins said Warner’s role in three partnerships over 50 had helped Ashes-holders Australia establish their series lead and backed the 36-year-old, averaging a meagre 23.5 after six innings, to return to form this week.

“Davey didn’t have his best game last week at Headingley but prior to that, I think he’s looked really good — he’s had three fifty-run partnerships which can be rare over here in England,” Cummins told reporters at Old Trafford.

Josh Hazlewood is in. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

The fast bowler added: “We back Davey, absolutely. We know how tough it can be to open over here. He’s doing all the right things, he’s shown some great signs and I’m sure a big score is just around the corner.”

Cummins also confirmed Hazlewood would replace fellow seamer Boland, who has taken just two wickets in two Tests at a hugely expensive average of 115.5.

“Nathan Lyon is the greatest off-spinner we’ve ever had so it’s not quite apples for apples (in comparing him to Murphy),” Cummins said before Australia announced their side later Tuesday.

Australia only need a draw in Manchester to retain the Ashes. But having been in the shared 2019 series in England, Cummins is determined to lead Australia to an outright Ashes campaign win this season and so crown a tour that has also seen his side defeat India in the World Test Championship final at The Oval.

Rain is forecast to fall in Manchester later this week, with Tests at Old Trafford infamous for being interrupted by bad weather.

“The first preference is always to try to win,” said Cummins. “We drew the 2019 series and we’ve all come back pretty clear we want to win this one.” England announced their side on Monday, making just one change to their XI, with all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson returning on his home ground in place of Ollie Robinson.

Australia team for the fourth Ashes Test: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wkt), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (capt), Josh Hazlewood

— with AFP