Australia have decided against replacing injured off-spinner Nathan Lyon with another specialist spinner for the fourth Ashes Test against England, opting instead for a pace-heavy 12-man squad ahead of the Boxing Day clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting Friday.

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Lyon sustained a long-term hamstring injury during Australia’s Ashes-clinching win in Adelaide and subsequently underwent surgery. Although off-spinner Todd Murphy was drafted into the squad as cover, Australia chose to leave him out after assessing the MCG pitch, which has shown a generous covering of grass and is expected to assist seam bowlers.

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Captain Steve Smith confirmed that the final playing XI will be decided at the toss on Friday. Australia’s decision marks a rare instance of them heading into an MCG Test without a frontline spinner — a ground traditionally known for spin success, especially for legends like Shane Warne and Lyon himself.

“A lot of the wickets we’re playing on at the moment are certainly more seam-friendly than spin-friendly,” Smith said on Thursday. “Adelaide was an anomaly. We saw some rough and Nathan came into the game big-time. You’ve got to play what’s in front of you, and this surface looks like it will offer plenty for the seamers.”

Australia wrapped up the Ashes in just 11 days of on-field action after winning the first three Tests, leaving England playing for pride in the final two matches.

Alongside Lyon, Australia will also be without regular captain Pat Cummins and Josh Inglis. Fast bowlers Jhye Richardson, Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser have been included in the expanded squad, with Richardson in line for his first Test appearance in over four years following a prolonged injury layoff.

Veteran left-hander Usman Khawaja retained his place ahead of Inglis after impressive scores of 82 and 40 in Adelaide. Doggett and Neser, who featured in the second Test in Brisbane, were left out in Adelaide when Cummins and Lyon returned.

England, meanwhile, announced their XI on Wednesday, with the major blow being the loss of express pacer Jofra Archer for the remainder of the series, including the fifth and final Test in Sydney starting January 4.

Australia squad: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland

England team: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue

(By PTI Inputs)