Pat Cummins Ruled Out Of Ashes 2025-26, Australia Announce Fourth Test Squad

The Australian cricket team has been hit with major setbacks ahead of the final two Tests of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 series against England. Captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the remainder of the series, and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon will also miss the rest of the matches as he prepares for surgery following a hamstring tear, confirmed Australian head coach Andrew McDonald.

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Pat Cummins Out, Nathan Lyon to Undergo Surgery

Australia is currently leading the five-match Test series 3-0 and has already retained the Ashes urn. Despite this, the last two Tests still carry importance as ICC World Test Championship points are at stake.

The team has faced numerous injury challenges during the series. Josh Hazlewood was ruled out early, Pat Cummins joined the squad for the third Test only to be sidelined again due to back issues, Nathan Lyon suffered a hamstring tear, Usman Khawaja faced fitness concerns, and vice-captain Steve Smith missed the previous Test with vertigo-like symptoms.

Even with these setbacks, Australia has been dominant, winning back-to-back matches against England convincingly.

Squad Changes for Fourth Test

The selection committee has recalled Todd Murphy for the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, likely replacing Nathan Lyon in the playing XI. Jhye Richardson has also been brought back into the squad to replace Pat Cummins and could play his first Test in four years.

Will Pat Cummins Miss Boxing Day Test At Melbourne?

Andrew McDonald spoke about Richardson’s recall, saying:

“I’m not willing to say Uz will be a lock but what he’s done is he’s performed really well – [122] runs in that game at late notice. I felt as though he’s back to that attacking sort of play. He’s still a good player, and age shouldn’t factor into any of our decision-making.”

In terms of the batting order, Australia made changes when Usman Khawaja suffered a back spasm in the first Test, promoting Travis Head to open alongside Jake Weatherald. Khawaja returned in the last Test and scored well when Steve Smith was ruled out, leaving the team management with a tough call.

McDonald also commented on the batting order:

“Alex Carey at six, I like what he’s doing there,” he said. “So my assumption is, and I’ll have a little bit of a say in that, that he’ll stay six.”

Cameron Green has struggled to make an impact with the bat in Test cricket, but he has the backing of the coach, who said:

“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.”

Australia Squad for Fourth Test vs England

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