Cummins ruled out of final two Ashes Tests as T20 World Cup availability uncertain

Australia captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the final two Ashes Tests against England as team management continues to carefully manage his workload following a back stress injury, raising uncertainty over his availability for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Cummins will miss the fourth Test beginning Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting January 3 . With Australia retaining the Ashes after taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, selectors opted not to risk the fast bowler, who has only recently returned from a serious back issue.

Cummins had missed the first two Tests of the series due to the injury before making his comeback in the third Test at Adelaide. However, he indicated after Australia’s 82-run win there that he was unlikely to feature in the Boxing Day Test as he looks to protect his long-term fitness.

Steve Smith , who is expected to be fit after missing the third Test due to vertigo, will continue to lead the side in Cummins’ absence.

Off-spinner Todd Murphy has been named as a replacement for injured Nathan Lyon , who sustained a hamstring injury while fielding on the final day of the third Test. Murphy will play his first Test in Australia, edging out Matt Kuhnemann and Corey Rocchiccioli for a place in the 15-man squad.

Fast bowler Jhye Richardson has also been recalled and is in contention to play his first Test in more than four years following an extended injury layoff.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald said Cummins’ availability for the T20 World Cup remains uncertain and will depend on further medical assessments and how he responds to rehabilitation in the coming weeks. He added that the situation remains “grey”, with no final decision taken yet.

Murphy previously featured in two Tests during the 2023 Ashes after Lyon was sidelined, taking six wickets in Australia’s defeat at The Oval.

Australia squad:

Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.