The Ashes 2025-26 preserved, the famous urn is in Australian hands today. A A clinical 3-0 advantage was forged in Adelaide on visitors England. However, the captain is setting the mood ahead of the famous Boxing Day Test match at the MCG starting on December 26. Pat Cummins‘ strategic prudence.
Cummins now faces a major medical decision point. Managing a lumbar stress injury requires cold and calculated long-term logic. The risk of the holiday falling apart by securing the series is simply too high. “I doubt I’ll play in Melbourne” the weary skipper admitted to the press. His absence leaves a huge void in the world’s most feared pace bowling unit. National voters will now choose a successor to maintain their 5-0 mark.
“I doubt I’ll play in Melbourne.”
🗣️ Pat Cummins on him #Ash existence pic.twitter.com/fm5ISOt1ON
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 21, 2025
Ashes 2025-26: 3 leading contenders to replace Pat Cummins in Melbourne for Boxing Day Test against England
Three hungry contenders are now ready to storm the hallowed MCG turf. Here are the leading candidates to replace Cummins this Boxing Day.
1. Jhye Richardson
The most significant development leading up to the Boxing Day Test is a report from Code Sports Australia confirming this Jhye Richardson Abandoned his commitments to the BBL Perth Scorchers fly direct to Melbourne. The move suggests he is a prime target to replace Pat Cummins. Richardson has spent the last four years battling shoulder and soft tissue injuries, but his recent form suggests he is rediscovering his elite rhythm.
- Numbers: Richardson was recently snapped up for England Lions Australia Aconsistently finishing with figures of 4/35 at 140 kmph.
- Generation: He is no stranger to Ashes heroics, taking 5/42 to secure an Australian victory in the second innings of the 2021 Adelaide Test.
- Tactical Compatibility: Its ‘slippery’ trajectory and natural spin are considered a perfect match for the MCG, where the opening pitch often rewards bowlers who can deliver life with high pace and a lower release point.
2. Michael Neser
If voters choose control over reliability and raw pace, Michael Neser is definitely a pioneer. Neser has already made a big impact this summer, justifying his call-up with a maiden Test five-wicket hunt during the second Test Brisbane. He could be the most ‘Cummins-like’ bowler in the domestic circuit due to his ruthless accuracy and ability to move the ball both ways.
- Numbers: Neser has been the gold standard of the Sheffield Shield, boasting an extraordinary batting average 21.00 over the past two seasons. He already has 1 five-wicket haul to his name in the current 2025/26 Ashes series.
- Generation: With already 100 Shield Gate and growing international reputation, it is considered a plug-and-play option that requires no adjustment period.
- Tactical Compatibility: Neser provides elite swing and acts as a “true” all-rounder at number eight, potentially softening the blow of Cummins’ absence.
Also READ: England captain Ben Stokes opens another Ashes series defeat in Australia
3. Brendan Doggett
Brendan Doggett represents the ‘duty’ depth of the current squad, having made his long-awaited Test debut in the series opener in Perth earlier this summer. Doggett, a tall, boisterous fast bowler from Queensland, provides the ‘heavy ball’ that Australian captains look to break stubborn partnerships in the middle innings.
- Numbers: Although his specific series was lower than Nese’s, Doggett’s role was to hit the deck hard and maintain the pressure, often bowling at 142+ kmph, to disrupt England’s top order.
- Generation: His rise through the Local XI and Sheffield Shield was built on stamina; If the MCG pitch proves to be a flat ‘road’, he is capable of the long, grueling 7 to 8 spells required.
- Tactical Compatibility: If Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland with early swing and a seam assignment, Doggett is the ideal ‘provider’ to pack the cross-seam and produce reverse swing, scraping the ball on the abrasive Melbourne surface.
Also READ: WTC 2025–27 Fixtures: New Zealand climb to second spot after dominant series win over West Indies
