Ashes 2025-26: Cummins Likely to Sit Out, Steve Smith to Lead in Melbourne

Australia has already won the Ashes 2025-26 series 3-0, so they will probably play the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground without Pat Cummins. Cummins could rule himself out of the series to stay fit and fine ahead of the T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League in early 2026. Cummins does not want to take any risks with his fitness for these assignments. This has opened the gates for a possible comeback of Jhye Richardson to the Test set-up. Notably, the right-arm pacer has been away from the international squad since undergoing a shoulder surgery.

“We had a pretty aggressive build-up knowing that it's the 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 reassess the risk,” Cummins was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Australia Likely to Rest Cummins for Boxing Day Test, Smith to Lead

Cummins suggested that Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland will probably play in the Boxing Day Test, and it’s unlikely that Brendan Doggett or Michael Neser will replace them.

"Good luck to anyone telling Starcy or even Scotty Boland that they're going to miss a Boxing Day Test if they're fully fit," Cummins said firmly.

Australia has already won this year’s Ashes. The captain played really well in his first match of the series, and Nathan Lyon, who came back to the team, also bowled very effectively. Ben Stokes-led England crumbled against a quality bowling attack, and gave up, failing to chase the target on the Day 5 at the Adelaide Oval.

The fourth Test will begin on December 26 in Melbourne, where Steve Smith is set to lead Australia again. Smith had already taken the charge for the first couple of Tests in Perth and Brisbane, respectively.

If Cummins chooses to rest for the rest of the series, Smith will have to lead the team in the last two matches, which don’t affect the series result. The contests are not as meaningless with respect to the World Test Championship cycle, as Australia can strengthen their dominance at the points table.