Australia captain Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon have been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series against England, Cricket Australia confirmed on Tuesday.
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Cummins will miss the final two Tests as team management looks to manage his workload following a recent return from a lower back injury. The fast bowler led Australia to an 82-run victory in the third Test in Adelaide, taking six wickets in the match, but coach Andrew McDonald said the decision was taken to avoid long-term risk.
🚨 BIG BLOW FOR AUSTRALIA 🚨
– Cummins ruled out the Ashes ❌
– Hazlewood ruled out of the Ashes ❌
– Lyon ruled out of the Ashes ❌2 Important Tests in WTC at MCG & SCG…!!! pic.twitter.com/49zEVrwhS0
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 23, 2025
“Pat won’t play any part in the rest of the series,” McDonald said, adding that Australia’s primary goal of retaining the Ashes urn had already been achieved. Cummins is now expected to focus on regaining full fitness ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in February in India and Sri Lanka. Australia have already sealed the series after victories in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Meanwhile, off-spinner Nathan Lyon will undergo surgery on a torn right hamstring sustained while fielding on the final day in Adelaide. The injury is expected to sideline the 38-year-old for an extended period. Lyon had earlier claimed his 564th Test wicket, moving into sixth place on the all-time list.
Steve Smith will resume captaincy for the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after missing Adelaide due to vertigo symptoms. Spinner Todd Murphy is set to replace Lyon, while fast bowler Jhye Richardson has been recalled to the squad after a four-year absence.
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Mitchell Starc, Australia’s leading wicket-taker in the series with 22 scalps, is expected to continue spearheading the pace attack.