Australian skipper Pat Cummins returned to international cricket after 5 months following his injury during the final Test against the West Indies. After having missed the first two Ashes, Cummins returned for the Third and Australia sealed the Ashes title with a third consecutive win.

Pat Cummins returned for the Adelaide Test and captained the Aussies to another win in the series; with this win, they have already sealed the Ashes against the English side. Cummins, the bowler, was not seen bowling at his full tilt, yet he picked 6 wickets in the game and dismissed Joe Root for the 13th time in Test cricket.

The Australian skipper is always known to have a major impact on the field, and his availability helped Australia when Steve Smith, the stand-in skipper, also had to leave due to ill health.

Pat Cummins confirms his unavailability for the Boxing Day Test

Pat Cummins replaced Australian seamer Michael Neser in the Third Test in Adelaide. The bowler Neser had replaced Nathan Lyon in the pink-ball Test at the Gabba and picked up a five-wicket haul for the first time in his career.

Mitchell Starc got some exceptional support with the return of Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to the side; however, the support seems to have backed off, as Pat Cummins announced his unavailability immediately after their series win at the Adelaide Oval.

The next match will be the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which is not even a week away from now; hence, Cummins, who recently returned from an injury, might find the schedule to be hectic. "I doubt I'll be playing Melbourne," said Pat Cummins.

Pat Cummins says he's likely to be back on the sidelines for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG #AUSvENG

#Ashes pic.twitter.com/KvxJm0nYmU

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 21, 2025

Australia continue unbeaten run in WTC cycle

The Aussies have been truly inspiring in the recent ICC World Test Championship cycle. They have not only maintained an unbeaten streak but have also maintained a winning streak of 6 matches into the latest WTC cycle and top the points table with a PCT of 100.

They started their WTC campaign off with the tour to the West Indies, immediately after losing the WTC title to South Africa in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final. In the Caribbean, the Aussies dominated, especially with the ball, and won all three matches.

After four months, they returned with the longest format of the game in the Ashes. The home side has won the first three games of the Ashes with utter dominance and is eyeing a clean sweep over the Englishmen. The two remaining matches of the series will be played at the MCG and SCG.

Nathan Lyon is also doubtful for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG

Injuries have been a major concern for the Aussies in this Ashes series, as several players have suffered injuries. Pat Cummins returned following an injury and made a comeback at Adelaide.

However, Josh Hazlewood, one of Australia's most influential bowlers, was ruled out ahead of the start of the Ashes, and he was followed by Sean Abbott. Usman Khawaja also missed the second Test due to an injury, and so did Steve Smith in the Third Test.

However, the latest injury has been reported for Nathan Lyon. The spinner led Australia's comeback in this Test as he tricked the English middle order. After having surpassed the great Glenn McGrath as the second-highest wicket-taker for Australia, Lyon pulled his hamstring and is now doubtful for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.