Australia considering pace onslaught for MCG Test

Australia are weighing up a four-pronged pace attack for the Boxing Day Test, bringing into question Cameron Green's spot in the XI.

Victorian offspinner Todd Murphy has been called into the squad for the injured Nathan Lyon, who is set to be sidelined for months after having surgery on a torn hamstring.

But Murphy is no lock to play his first Test in Australia with coach Andrew McDonald and selectors considering using a pace onslaught to further crush England.

If Australia don't pick a frontline spinner, allrounder Beau Webster could be recalled in place of the struggling Green.

Webster was unlucky to be omitted for the start of the Ashes after an outstanding debut year for Australia.

But his ability to bowl spin and medium pace could make him a genuine option at the MCG.

"He hasn't got the runs that he would like," McDonald said of Green.

"He's bowled some important spells for us. His catching in the gully and shot-stopping ability there.

"The returns haven't been there, but we've also seen what capabilities and the upside that he has, and he's an important part of what we're setting out to achieve in the short term and the long term.

"He's a very good cricketer and I'm sure that his next opportunity, he'll be able to show that whenever that may be.

"We've got some decisions to make.

"Do we play a spinner, don't we play a spinner? We'll work through that.

"It was an interesting conversation with the spin depth that we do have, which is full recognition to those also that were discussed."

With Pat Cummins ruled out for the rest of the series as he manages a back issue after helping retain the Ashes, Steve Smith will again captain Australia.

Smith led Australia in Perth and Brisbane, but had to miss the Ashes-clinching win in Adelaide where Cummins played, due to vertigo symptoms.

McDonald declared Smith a certain-starter to return for the fourth Test as Australia attempts to whitewash battered England.

Fit-again quick Jhye Richardson is back in the Australia squad and in contention to play his first Test in more than four years.

Richardson will be battling it out with Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett, who both played at the Gabba but made way for Cummins and Lyon in the third Test.

Victorian hero Scott Boland, who famously destroyed England on Test debut at the MCG four years ago, is dealing with a hip issue.

But McDonald declared Boland wasn't in any doubt to play his home Test, with the paceman due to speak to media on Wednesday.

McDonald hailed the "amazing" resilience of Mitchell Starc, who is on track to be named player of the series.

"I walked into the physio room the other day and went through the body count and how we're going and (physiotherapist Nick Jones) just said, 'He's a freak'," McDonald said.

"There's a lot to be learned around preparing yourself and targeting the right matches at the right time.

"He's given up a lot of IPL opportunities and you're seeing a player that wants to play Test cricket, and he's still at his best.

"It's an incredible story, and let's hope it continues for a long time yet.

"But he's a freak - end of story."