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Steve Smith returned to action in the Boxing Day Test against England as Australia opted to include four fast bowlers in their 12-man squad, while spinner Todd Murphy, who was brought into the squad in place of Nathan Lyon, did not find a place.
Fast bowler Jhye Richardson, who has not played in the longest format since 2021, has been brought back in after good domestic form on his return from shoulder surgery.
Brendan Doggett, who played in the first two Tests, and Michael Neser, who was part of the pink-ball clash, have also been included as Australia go for a pace attack.
“You just have to play on the surface that’s presented to you,” Smith, who missed the Adelaide Test due to vertigo, told reporters on Thursday.
“There is 10mm of grass on the pitch, quite hairy, quite green.
“I dare say it is going to present similar conditions to today, quite cold and cloudy. So, there is going to be quite a bit of movement.
“It looks like it will help the seam bowlers a lot and the weather looks favorable throughout the week.”
29-year-old left-arm fast bowler Richardson’s last appearance in the red ball format was against England in December 2021, in which he took five wickets to help his team win by 275 runs.
“It’s exciting to see Richardson back in the team,” Smith said.
“He’s had to be out for a long time due to injury, and we know how much skill he can have.”
“He has done it before against England in the Ashes. We have seen that whenever he has got the opportunity at this level, he has performed excellently.”
Meanwhile veteran Usman Khawaja, who scored 82 and 40 in the last Test after coming on as a last-minute replacement for Smith, has been included at the expense of Josh Inglis.
“(It was) fortunate that Usman was able to come and play the way he did in the first innings.
“We all thought he played really well last week, he applied pressure when it mattered and he took it when it mattered.
“He’s got that No. 5 spot right now.
“The way Cam (Cameron Green) puts together his whole package helps us at seven as well.”
Australia has already maintained a 3-0 lead in the five-Test series.
Australia XI for the fourth Test: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendon Doggett, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson.