Ex-Punjab Kings pacer to replace Pat Cummins in Team Australia for remainder of Ashes 2025–26

Australia’s skilled spinner Nathan Lyon is all however confirmed to be dominated out of the remainder of the continued Ashes 2025-26 because of the hamstring damage, and now their captain Pat Cummins can also be not sure for the remaining two Check matches in opposition to England.

Since Australia retained the Ashes urn and took a 3-0 lead within the ongoing five-match Check collection in opposition to England, Pat Cummins is all set to shift his consideration to his health. The seasoned pacer is unlikely to play within the Boxing Day Check on the Melbourne Cricket Floor (MCG) in Melbourne and can also be uncertain for the fifth and remaining Check on the Sydney Cricket Floor (SCG) in Sydney.

Pat Cummins unsure for the remainder of the Ashes 2025-26

Pat Cummins had simply returned to motion within the third check after lacking a number of months with a again stress damage. The Adelaide Check was the Australian captain’s first match at any stage since July, however he nonetheless made a robust impression by taking six wickets and serving to Australia to beat England by 82 runs and retain the Urn.

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Regardless of that spectacular return, Pat Cummins is being cautious together with his workload. Cummins mentioned on the post-match presser, “I doubt I’ll be taking part in Melbourne. After which we’ll have a chat about Sydney. Actually, earlier than the collection, it was whereas the collection was reside. Let’s tackle the chance and have a crack at it. Now it’s performed, I feel we have to have a chat about it.”

Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser in a race to interchange Pat Cummins

This implies Australia could have to alter to their tempo assault for the Boxing Day Check. If Pat Cummins rests himself for the third Ashes Check, Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser are each within the combine to play in opposition to England. Nonetheless, Neser’s five-wicket haul in Brisbane has stored him forward within the race.

On the identical time, Jhye Richardson may be very near returning to the Check setup. He has recovered nicely from shoulder surgical procedure and has been coaching with the Check squad. Though Richardson was not formally a part of the squad, the selectors have been maintaining an in depth eye on him.

Jhye Richardson near Check comeback for Boxing Day Check at MCG

As reported by ESPNcricinfo, former Punjab Kings pacer Jhye Richardson is “very near being in consideration” for the Boxing Day Check on the MCG in opposition to England. If the 29-year-old is included, it will be a particular second. Richardson was final seen in whites within the Boxing Day Check in opposition to India.

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Quickly after that match, the quick bowler determined to endure surgical procedure to repair ongoing shoulder issues and ended up lacking practically 12 months of cricket. Since then, Richardson has slowly labored his means again. He began by taking part in grade cricket, then featured for a Cricket Australia XI in opposition to the England Lions.

After that, he performed for Australia A, and now he’s prepared for higher-level cricket once more. Just lately, Richardson additionally returned to motion within the ongoing Huge Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26). After lacking Perth Scorchers’ first match as he was with the Check squad, the star pacer made a direct impression within the subsequent BBL 2025-26 sport in opposition to Brisbane Warmth.

Notably, Richardson has to this point performed solely three Checks and brought 11 wickets since making his Check debut in 2018–19, all because of the accidents. Now, he’s pushing exhausting for the Check comeback.