Ashes 2025-26: Cummins, Lyon doubtful for Boxing Day Test; Smith expected to return
Australian captain Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon are expected to miss the fourth Ashes Test match against England at the MCG.
New Delhi: Australia are likely to go into the fourth Test without captain Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon after sealing the series and retaining the Ashes in just 11 days of playing time. The Aussies defeated England by 82 runs in the third Test.
Cummins picked up six wickets in his first match after a five-and-a-half-month recovery from the back injury. The Australian skipper said that he did well in the match, but playing back-to-back Test matches are unlikely for him.
"Now that the series has been won, there might be a sense of job's done and let's reassess the risk. We'll work it out over the next couple of days, I doubt I'll be playing Melbourne, and then we'll have a chat about Sydney," Cummins said.
Jamie Smith and Will Jacks gave slight hope to England on the final day of the Adelaide Test, but the Australian bowlers delivered a brilliant spell after taking the new ball. Mitchell Starc picked up three wickets on the final day, while Labuschagne took a spectacular catch at slips, and Boland claimed the last wicket.
"You can't really rush things here in Australia. I think you kind of will it to happen, but it doesn't really work that way. It's good old-fashioned grind a lot of the time. I loved the toil from all the guys today. It got a little bit closer than I would have liked, but I'm pretty happy." Cummins added.
'It doesn’t look great': Cummins on Lyon's injury
Nathan Lyon is also doubtful for the fourth Test after he pulled a hamstring while fielding on the boundary. The spinner later went for scans and was seen on crutches at Adelaide Oval. Cummins said that Lyon's injury doesn't look great, and he's not sure about his availability.
"But seeing someone on crutches doesn’t really bode well for someone with a Test match a week away. It’s going to be hard to replace him, but we have some guys who have already had a taste of international cricket around the traps," added Cummins.
Steve Smith, who was the stand-in captain for Cummins in the first two Tests, missed the Adelaide game due to illness. But, he's expected to be ready for the Boxing day Test.