Aussies opt for all-pace attack in 4th Test

Australia will take an all-pace attack into the fourth Ashes Test, skipper Steve Smith said yesterday, while Josh Inglis was dropped with selectors preferring Usman Khawaja.

- 

The hosts head into the Boxing Day Test with an unassailable 3-0 lead over England, but are without pace spearhead Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon.

Cummins is being managed after his return in the third Adelaide Test after a lengthy lay off with a lower back injury and will play no further part in the Ashes.

Lyon had surgery this week for a torn hamstring and faces a long recovery.

Todd Murphy was called up as cover for Lyon, but Smith said they had opted for a pace attack given the "quite furry" surface at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.