Ashes 2025-26: No Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon as Australia announces squad for the Boxing Day Test vs England

Australia will be without Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, forcing a significant reshuffle ahead of the fourth match of the Ashes 2025-26 series. Todd Murphy and Jhye Richardson have been drafted into the squad as Australia look to maintain their dominance despite holding an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Ashes 2025-26: Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to miss out the Boxing Day Test

Lyon’s Boxing Day withdrawal was confirmed after scans revealed a torn right hamstring that requires surgery, an injury suffered while he dived at fine leg to save a boundary on the final day in Adelaide. The 38-year-old immediately clutched the upper part of his right hamstring and was helped from the field, with subsequent assessment ruling him out for an extended period, likely beyond Australia’s next Test assignment against Bangladesh in the Top End mid-next year.

The setback revives memories of the 2023 Asheswhen Lyon’s tour ended early due to a calf injury at Lord’s, underlining his importance as Australia’s long-term spin spearhead. In his absence, selectors have turned again to Victorian off-spinner Todd Murphywho has collected 22 wickets from seven overseas Tests and impressed for Australia A against England Lions and in the Sheffield Shield, where he has taken 10 wickets at 23.70 this season.

Cummins, meanwhile, has been ruled out as part of a workload-management strategy after returning from a back issue to take six wickets in Adelaide and help seal the series 3-0. With Australia already having retained the Ashes and sitting comfortably atop the World Test Championship standings, team management decided there was no need to risk their premier fast bowler, with his Sydney availability to be assessed closer to the New Year Test.

Also WATCH: Nathan Lyon’s deadly spin sends Harry Brook packing on Day 4 of Adelaide Test

Two players gets a call in Australia’s lineup for the MCG Test

Murphy is now in line for a dream first home Test at his state’s marquee venue, the MCG, with conditions and balance of the XI to determine whether Australia field a specialist spinner. Australia have already shown a willingness this series to go without a front-line spinner, leaning on the part-time off-spin of all-rounder Beau Webster and occasional overs from Travis Head to supplement their pace-heavy attack.

Jhye Richardson’s recall caps a determined comeback from a third shoulder surgery, with the Western Australian quick pushing his case through steadily increased bowling loads and a five-wicket haul against England Lions earlier this month. Richardson has not played a Test in four years but has remained around the group through this series, and his extra pace and ability to swing the ball position him as a genuine contender to share the new ball at the MCG alongside Mitchell Starc or local favourite Scott Boland.

Boland and Starc are expected to be closely monitored after substantial workloads across the first three Tests, with Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett also in the squad after strong early-season performances. Steve Smith, who missed the Adelaide Test due to inner-ear issues, will return to captain the squad for the Boxing Day Test.

Australia squad for Ashes 2025-26 Boxing Day Test:

Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster

Also WATCH: Marnus Labuschagne grabs a screamer to remove Ollie Pope on Day 4 of the third Ashes 2025-26 Test in Adelaide