The Australian national cricket team has suffered some major setbacks ahead of the last two Tests of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 series against the England national cricket team.
Australia captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the remaining matches, and bowling great Nathan Lyon will also miss the rest of the series as he is set to undergo surgery following a hamstring injury, Australian head coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed.
Pat Cummins ruled out of Ashes 2025-26
Australia is leading 3-0 in the ongoing five-match Test series against England and has already retained its title. However, the last two Tests still hold vital importance in the ICC World Test Championship points table.
Team Australia has faced several injury problems in the series as Josh Hazlewood was ruled out due to injury earlier, Pat Cummins only made the squad for the third Test but was ruled out again due to back problems, Nathan Lyon suffered a hamstring injury, Usman Khawaja had some fitness issues, and vice-captain Steve Smith missed the last Test due to vertigo-like symptoms.
Despite all this, Australia have looked completely dominant in the Ashes and have defeated the English team in consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, the selection committee has recalled Todd Murphy for the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and he is likely to replace Nathan Lyon in the playing eleven.
Apart from this, fast bowler Jhye Richardson has been recalled to the team in place of Pat Cummins and is in contention to play his first Test in four years.
I’m not willing to say the UAZ will be locked up but what it has done is perform really well – Andrew McDonald
In batting, Australia were forced to make a top-order change in the first Test when Usman Khawaja suffered back spasms, and Travis Head was promoted to open with Jake Weatherald.
However, with Steve Smith out in the last Test, Usman Khawaja got a chance and scored good runs, but after the return of the vice-captain, the team management will have to take a tough decision. Speaking about this, Andrew MacDonald said:
“I’m not willing to say UAZ will be a lock but what he has done is perform really well, [122] Plays on late notice in that game. I felt like he was back on offense. He is still a good player and age should not factor into any of our decisions.”
“Alex Carey is six years old, I like what he’s doing out there,” McDonald said. “So my assumption is, and I have a little say in this, that he’ll be around for six years.”
Cameron Green is struggling a lot in Test cricket and is not able to make any contribution with the bat. However, he has received some support from the head coach, who said:
“The rewards haven’t been there, but we’ve also seen what abilities and good side he has and he’s an important part of what we want to achieve in the short term and long term. He’s a very good cricketer, and I’m sure he’ll be able to show that when he gets the next chance.”
Australia team for the fourth test against England:
Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendon Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
Ins: Todd Murphy, Jhye Richardson. Out: Pat Cummins (management), Nathan Lyon (hamstring)
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