Australia's Ashes Squad Shocker: Cummins and Lyon Out, Richardson and Murphy In!
Just when you thought the Ashes couldn’t get any more dramatic, Australia drops a bombshell ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Captain Pat Cummins and spin legend Nathan Lyon are both sidelined, leaving fans and critics alike scratching their heads. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Jhye Richardson and Todd Murphy step into the spotlight, adding a fresh dynamic to the squad.
As of Monday, December 22, 2025, at 11:25 PM, Cricket Australia announced its 15-player lineup for the iconic MCG clash. Cummins, still nursing a back injury, hinted at his likely absence after the series-clinching win, while Lyon faces a lengthy recovery following a hamstring tear during the Adelaide Test. His injury, sustained while fielding on the final day, requires surgery, effectively ruling him out for an extended period.
But here’s the part most people miss: Todd Murphy, the lone full-time spinner in the squad, is poised to make his debut on home soil. Despite having played seven Tests across India, England, and Sri Lanka since his 2023 debut, where he bagged seven wickets, this could be his first chance to shine in front of a home crowd. Murphy’s inclusion isn’t entirely surprising, given his role as Lyon’s stand-in during the 2023 Ashes in England when Lyon was sidelined with a calf injury.
Jhye Richardson, on the other hand, is no stranger to the Test arena but has struggled to cement his place due to injuries and stiff competition from the likes of Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland. The 29-year-old, who debuted in 2019, has only played three Tests so far, with his last appearance in Adelaide during the 2021/22 Ashes. While his inclusion in the squad is a step forward, he’s not guaranteed a spot in the playing XI, with Starc, Boland, Brendan Doggett, and Michael Neser also in contention.
And this is where it gets controversial: Steve Smith returns to captain the side, reprising his role from the first two Tests when Cummins was absent. Smith’s comeback follows his own health scare—vertigo, which forced him to miss the Adelaide Test. Usman Khawaja, initially left out of the squad due to back spasms, stepped in brilliantly, scoring 122 runs across two innings, including a crucial 82 on day one. His performance not only helped Australia secure an 82-run victory but also raised questions about Josh Inglis’s place in the team. Inglis, who replaced Khawaja in Brisbane, has struggled, with a top score of just 32 in three innings.
The squad’s reshuffle sparks a thought-provoking question: Is Australia’s reliance on its core pace attack sustainable, or is it time to give younger talents like Richardson and Murphy more opportunities? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think this lineup can hold its own against a determined England side, or are there cracks beginning to show?
Check out the full squad below and join the debate. This Ashes series just got a whole lot more interesting!
