The Ashes: West Australian pace ace Jhye Richardson to return to Australian team in Boxing Day Test at MCG

West Australian pace ace Jhye Richardson will play his first Test in four years, set to make up a four-man Australian pace attack in the Boxing Day Test on Friday.

The move was unveiled by stand-in Aussie captain at the toss, which was won by England skipper Ben Stokes who elected to bowl first.

Richardson has been included in the side along with Michael Neser. The pair had been battling South Australian Brendan Doggett for the final place in the team.

The 29-year-old West Aussie played the most recent of his three Tests for Australia at Adelaide in the 2020/21 Ashes series, where he took a second-innings five-wicket haul.

Richardson was sent for shoulder surgery in January — which cut his season short last campaign — with an eye specifically on this series.

Australian great Kerry O’Keeffe said it was an “inspired choice” to recall Richardson.

“His numbers are just too good to ignore. I think he takes his first-class wickets at 20, he’s an elite bowler, he took five wickets in an Ashes Test the last time he played,” he told Fox Cricket.

“He’s skiddy, he moves the ball, he’s aggressive.

“When he’s fully-fit, if that shoulder is at its best, he can win Test matches. I think it’s a very good selection. Pick him when he’s at full-throttle.”

Stand-in Australian captain Steve Smith revealed at his Christmas-morning press conference selectors had snubbed Victorian spinner Todd Murphy, who had looked poised to replace the injured Nathan Lyon.

That’s been put down to a green wicket Smith described as “furry” and overcast conditions. Victoria is in the thick of an unseasonal cold snap across Christmas, with the weather not tipped to pass 17 degrees on Boxing Day, which means the wicket is expected to hold together nicely.

Smith has replaced dropped WA batsman Josh Inglis in the middle-order and replaces injured captain Pat Cummins.

England confirmed their changes earlier in the week, with Gus Atkinson recalled for injured quick Jofra Archer and Ollie Pope dropped in favour of dashing batter Jacob Bethell.

AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Cam Green, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Scott Boland

ENGLAND: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue