New Delhi, Dec. 23 -- Todd Murphy will replace the injured Nathan Lyon as Australia's spin bowler and captain Pat Cummins as expected will be rested for the fourth Ashes test against England beginning Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Murphy is set to play his first test in Australia in the Boxing Day match, edging out Matt Kuhnemann and Corey Rocchiccioli for a spot in the 15-man squad named Tuesday.

With the Ashes retained following Australia's third straight win in the series at Adelaide, Cummins will sit out the match following a serious back injury in June. He said after Australia's 82-run win over England in Adelaide that he would be unlikely to play at the MCG.

Steve Smith is expected to be fit after a vertigo episode forc...