Australia’s commanding retention of the Ashes urn has come at a significant potential cost, with captain Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon both facing the prospect of missing the remainder of the series.
Following Australia’s victory in Adelaide, which secured an unassailable 3-0 lead, Cummins cast serious doubt on his participation in the upcoming Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The fast bowler, who recently returned from a long-term back injury, indicated that with the series decided, a reassessment of his involvement was necessary.
“I don’t expect to be playing in Melbourne,” Cummins stated. “We’ll need to discuss Sydney. The priority before was to manage the risk while the series was alive. Now that it’s secured, we have to have that conversation.”
The concerns extend beyond the captain. Lyon, a cornerstone of the Australian attack, suffered a hamstring injury on the final day in Adelaide. He left the field and later returned on crutches, a sight that suggests a lengthy recovery period.
“It doesn’t look promising,” Cummins admitted regarding Lyon’s condition. “Seeing a player on crutches is rarely a good sign for a Test match just days away. He’s an incredibly difficult player to replace.”
The search for Lyon’s replacement will likely focus on spin-bowling options such as Matt Kuhnemann, Todd Murphy, and uncapped player Corey Rocchiccioli. However, managing the fast-bowling workload also presents a challenge. Cummins humorously noted the difficulty in resting other key bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland for a marquee event like the Melbourne Test.
In more positive news for the hosts, there is confidence that star batter Steve Smith will be available for selection in Melbourne after missing the previous Test due to a bout of vertigo.
With the Ashes secured, Australia’s focus now shifts to managing player fitness for the final two matches, potentially offering opportunities for other squad members to step into the spotlight.