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Pat Cummins sidelined from remainder of The Ashes; confirms Australia head coach

Rajgeeta Yadav

Pat Cummins won't be part of the remainder of The Ashes [Source: AFP]Pat Cummins won't be part of the remainder of The Ashes [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, Australia have taken two major hits ahead of the final two Tests of the Ashes 2025–26 series against England. Head coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will not play again in the series. 

Australia’s spinner Nathan Lyon will also miss the remaining matches after suffering a hamstring tear that now requires surgery. These developments come as Australia already hold an unassailable lead in the series.

Australia officially confirm Cummins will sit out remaining Ashes Games

McDonald officially stated that Cummins will not take part in the rest of the Ashes, even though the fast bowler came through the Adelaide Test without any fresh issues. Cummins had recently returned from a back stress injury and played a key role in Australia’s win during the third Test. He picked up three wickets in each innings and helped seal the series victory for his side.

According to McDonald, the decision to rest Cummins was planned well in advance. 

The team management always knew there was some risk involved in bringing him back during the series. 

“He's pulled up fine, but he won't play any part in the rest of the series. That was a discussion that we had a long time ago about his return," McDonald said at a press conference. 

“We were taking on some risk, and people who reported on that would understand the risk associated with that rebuild."

“But we've now won the series, and that was the goal, so to position him for further risk and jeopardise him long-term is not something that we want to do, and Pat’s really comfortable with that." he added.

With Cummins sidelined for the rest of the Test summer, attention now turns to his possible return during the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February. McDonald shared that this will depend on further medical checks, including scans on Cummins’ back. At this stage, his availability remains uncertain, though there is optimism.

“I can't really say. It’s quite grey at the moment, we're hopeful.”

It is important to note that Jhye Richardson has been added to the squad as Cummins’ replacement for the Boxing Day Test. Australia currently lead the five-match series 3–0 and have retained the urn. The final two Tests still carry significance, with valuable ICC World Test Championship points up for grabs.