The Ashes 2025-26: Australia announce squad for Boxing Day test, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon ruled out

Steve Smith will captain Australia in the fourth test of The Ashes 2025-26.

Australian Cricket Team have announced their squad for the fourth test of The Ashes 2025-26 against England Cricket Team. The Boxing Day test will begin on Friday, December 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne.

Captain Pat Cummins will miss the next game of The Ashes 2025-26 due to workload management. Cummins didn’t play the first two games as he was still recovering from a back injury. He returned to lead the side in the third test in Adelaide and helped team retain the Urn.

Moreover, spinner Nathan Lyon will undergo surgery for his hamstring, which means he also has been ruled out of the next game. The right-arm spinner injured himself while fielding in the Adelaide test.

Steve Smith will captain Australia in Cummins’ absence in Melbourne. He also led the side in the first two games. Pacers Jhye Richardson and spinner Todd Murphy have been added as cover in the 15-man squad for the next encounter.

“Pat Cummins will miss the match as part of his ongoing management plan. Nathan Lyon will have surgery on a torn right hamstring, which will sideline him for an extended period,” Cricket Australia (CA) said in an official statement.

Australia have already won The Ashes 2025-26 by crushing the visitors in the first three games. The hosts won the opening game in Perth by eight wickets, followed by another victory in the second test in Brisbane with an equal margin. In the previous encounter in Adelaide, the hosts clinched a victory by 82 runs to retain the Ashes urn.

Steve Smith to lead as Australia announce squad for Melbourne test

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.

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