Australia, having already claimed the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 with an unbreakable 3-0 advantage, will most likely play the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground without Pat Cummins. Cummins may decide to withdraw from the series in order to remain fit and healthy for the T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League in early 2026.
Pat Cummins does not want to risk his fitness for these responsibilities.
This has paved the way for Jhye Richardson’s return to the Test team. Notably, the right-arm pacer has been absent from the international squad after undergoing shoulder surgery. According to reports, the selectors were eagerly awaiting Richardson’s comeback for the latter stages of the England Tests, and the wait may soon be over.
“We had a pretty aggressive build-up knowing that it’s the Ashes there to be won, and we thought that was worth it. Now that the series has been won, there might be a sense of job’s done and let’s reassess the risk,” Cummins was quoted as saying by.
Cummins further gave a strong hint that both Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland are going to feature for the Boxing Day encounter, with it being unlikely that Brendan Doggett or Michael Neser feature instead of either of the mainstays.
“Good luck to anyone telling Starcy or even Scotty Boland that they’re going to miss a Boxing Day Test if they’re fully fit,” Cummins said firmly.
The Aussies have already won the Ashes for this year, as the skipper looked brilliant in his maiden outing in the series, with the returning Nathan Lyon also delivering a crucial spell. Ben Stokes-led England crumbled against a quality bowling attack, and gave up, failing to chase the target on the Day 5 at the Adelaide Oval. The fourth Test will begin on December 26 in Melbourne, where Steve Smith is set to lead Australia again.
Smith had already taken the charge for the first couple of Tests in Perth and Brisbane, respectively. If Cummins decides to rest himself for the remainder of the series, Smith will have the responsibility of leading the troops in two dead-rubber contests. However, the contests are not as meaningless with respect to the World Test Championship cycle, as Australia can strengthen their dominance at the points table.
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