Australian captain Pat Cummins returned to international cricket after five months after suffering an injury during the final Test against West Indies. After missing the first two Ashes, Cummins returned for the third time as Australia captured their third consecutive Ashes title.
Pat Cummins returned for the Adelaide Test and led the Australians to another win in the series; With this win, they have already captured the Ashes against the English team. Bowler Cummins was not seen bowling at his full best, yet he took 6 wickets in the game and dismissed Joe Root for the 13th time in Test cricket.
The Australian captain has always been known to make a big impact on the field, and his availability helped Australia when stand-in captain Steve Smith also had to leave the field due to ill health.
Pat Cummins confirms his unavailability for the Boxing Day Test
Pat Cummins replaced Australian seamer Michael Neser in the third Test in Adelaide. Bowler Neser had replaced Nathan Lyon in the pink-ball Test at the Gabba and took five wickets for the first time in his career.
Mitchell Starc got some exceptional support with the return of Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to the team; However, the support seems to have waned, as Pat Cummins announced his unavailability soon after the series win at the Adelaide Oval.
The next match will be the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which is not even a week away; Hence, Cummins, who recently returned from injury, may find the schedule hectic. Pat Cummins said, “I doubt I will be able to play in Melbourne.”
Pat Cummins says he is likely to be back for the Boxing Day Test at MCG #AUSvENG #ash pic.twitter.com/KvxJm0nYmU
– ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) 21 December 2025
Australia’s unbeaten campaign continues in the WTC cycle
The Australian team has been truly inspiring in the recent ICC World Test Championship cycle. They have not only maintained an unbeaten streak but also a 6-match winning streak in the latest WTC cycle and are on top of the points table with 100 PCTs.
Soon after losing the WTC title to South Africa in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final, they started their WTC campaign with the West Indies tour. The Australians dominated in the Caribbean, especially with the ball, and won all three matches.
After four months, he returned with the longest format of the game in the Ashes. The home side has won the first three Ashes games with complete dominance and are eyeing a clean sweep of the British. The remaining two matches of the series will be played at MCG and SCG.
Nathan Lyon is also doubtful to play in the Boxing Day Test at MCG
Injuries have been a major concern for the Australian team in this Ashes series, as several players have suffered injuries. Pat Cummins returned from injury and made his debut in Adelaide.
However, Josh Hazlewood, one of Australia’s most influential bowlers, was dropped before the start of the Ashes, and he was followed by Sean Abbott. Usman Khawaja also could not play in the second test due to injury and Steve Smith also could not play in the third test.
However, the latest injury is reported to be Nathan Lyon. The spinner led Australia’s comeback in this Test as he thrashed England’s middle order. After surpassing the great Glenn McGrath as Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker, Lyon suffered a hamstring strain and is now doubtful for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Also Read: ICC World Test Championship points table after Australia vs England 3rd Test, WTC table – The Ashes 2025-26