Ashes 2025-26: ‘I doubt I’ll be playing in Melbourne’ - Cummins hints at rest ahead of final two Tests

After winning and retaining the Ashes, Australia may be forced to make a few changes to their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Captain Pat Cummins is unlikely to feature in the fourth Test, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon is also doubtful after sustaining a hamstring injury on Day 5 of the Adelaide Test.

Cummins, who missed the first two Tests due to a lower back issue, was declared fit for the third match and played a crucial role in Australia’s series-clinching victory. He picked up three wickets in each innings and led the side effectively as Australia surged to a 3-0 lead. However, with the series already secured, the team management may choose to rest their captain to avoid any further risk, especially with the New Year Test at the SCG in mind.

"First of all, I felt great. Just like a normal Test match. Bowling mid 30s overs, if anything, because I came into this Test match quite fresh, I feel my legs are still decent. Sometimes you're hanging on to some residual soreness from previous games. So, I'm feeling really good. As for the rest of the series, we'll see," said Cummins in the post-match presentation.

"We had a pretty aggressive build up knowing that there's an Ashes there to be won, and we thought that was worth it. Now that the series has been won, there might be a sense of job's done and let's kind of reassess the risk. We'll work it out over the next couple of days. I doubt I'll be playing Melbourne and then we'll have a chat about Sydney. Certainly before the series, it was while the series was alive, let's take on the risk and have a crack at it. Now that's it done, I think we'll need to have a chat about it," he added.

Cummins also admitted that the signs were not encouraging for Lyon after the senior spinner pulled his right hamstring while fielding during the first session on Day 5. Lyon was forced to limp off the field and was later seen leaving the ground before the lunch break to undergo scans at the hospital. Following Australia’s victory, the extent of the injury appeared evident as Lyon was spotted celebrating with his teammates while on crutches.

"It doesn't look great. Don't know yet, but seeing someone on crutches doesn't really bode well for someone with a Test match a week away. It's going to be hard to replace him, but we have some guys who have already had a taste of international cricket around the traps,” said Cummins.