Australian skipper Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon have been ruled out of the fourth Ashes Test against England, starting Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Lyon faces surgery on a torn right hamstring and a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being injured in Adelaide. Cummins, managing his workload after recent back issues, will sit out as a precaution. Steve Smith returns as captain, having previously led Australia in the first two Tests. Australia, who have already retained the Ashes, named Jhye Richardson and Todd Murphy as cover in the 15-man squad, with Murphy likely to play his first home Test.