Australia will be without captain Pat Cummins and veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon for the final two Ashes Tests against England in Melbourne and Sydney, Cricket Australia confirmed. Both players are being managed carefully following injury concerns, with Cummins’ back and Lyon’s hamstring requiring extended rest.
Cummins made a remarkable return in the third Test at Adelaide, helping Australia secure an 82-run win and an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. With the Ashes already retained, the pace spearhead will now focus on recovery ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, starting February 7. Coach Andrew McDonald said: “We were taking on some risk [playing him]. We’ve now won the series… to jeopardise him long-term is not something we want to do and Pat is really comfortable with that.”
Lyon, who recently turned 38, suffered a torn hamstring while fielding on the final day in Adelaide and underwent surgery. He will be replaced by fellow off-spinner Todd Murphy, who has 22 wickets in seven Tests, all outside Australia, and is now set to make his home Test debut.
Steve Smith returns to the squad after missing Adelaide due to vertigo and will deputise as captain in Cummins’ absence, just as he did in the opening two Tests. The squad also includes Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser as potential replacements for Cummins, with seamer Jhye Richardson added to the 15-player group.
Australia’s selection may require further adjustments, particularly among the batters, to accommodate Smith’s return. Usman Khawaja, who scored a half-century as a last-minute replacement in Adelaide, and Josh Inglis are considered the most vulnerable, while Cameron Green remains in the lineup despite low scores, offering additional seam-bowling options.
Australia Squad – Fourth Ashes Test: Steve Smith, 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.
