Key pair to miss as Aussies name squad for Boxing Day Test
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to miss the Boxing Day Test against England as Australia reveal a 15-player squad for the MCG match.
Skipper Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon have been left out as Australia unveiled a 15-member squad for the Boxing Day Test against England.
Off-spinner Todd Murphy and fast bowler Jhye Richardson have been drafted into the squad and will come into contention for the fourth Test of the series.
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Steve Smith will lead the side in the absence of Cummins, while all-rounders Michael Neser and Beau Webster and back-up quick Brendan Doggett retain their place in the squad despite missing out on selection in the recent Adelaide Test that saw Australia register a 82-run triumph that helped them open up an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Ashes series.
Cummins is rested for the Melbourne Test having only recently returned from his back issue, with the skipper a chance of appearing for the final Test of the series in Sydney from January 4.
“We had a pretty aggressive build-up knowing that there’s an Ashes (series) there to be won, and we thought that was worth it," Cummins said after the victory in Adelaide.
“I doubt I’ll be playing Melbourne, and then we’ll have a chat about Sydney."
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Richardson may be considered to replace the Australian skipper having made his own return from injury recently and having joined up with the squad in Adelaide prior to the third Test.
The right-armer has only played three Tests throughout his injury-plagued career and the most recent of those came back in 2021 against England in Adelaide, but selectors rate the 29-year-old highly.
Despite injury, Mitchell Starc believes Nathan Lyon still has a lot to give to Australia 💪#WTC27 | #AUSvENG | Read more 👉 https://t.co/JouXAK3bsP pic.twitter.com/YhuxL7iAWl
— ICC (@ICC) December 22, 2025
Murphy seems the most logical replacement for Lyon, with the Aussies confirming that the veteran spinner will have surgery on his torn right hamstring and will be sidelined for an extended period.
Murphy has featured seven times at Test level for Australia, with his most recent match coming at the start of the year againt Sri Lanka in Galle.
Australia squad (fourth Test only): 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
Ashes schedule
First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-22 (Australia won by eight wickets)
Second Test: Gabba, December 4-7 (Australia won by eight wickets)
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21 (Australia won by 82 runs)
Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30
Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8
