In a stunning turnaround of pre-series predictions, Australia have emphatically retained the Ashes urn with two matches to spare, defeating England in the first three Tests. The series victory, sealed with a win in Adelaide on Sunday, December 21, 2025, was achieved despite significant injury setbacks, including the absence of skipper Pat Cummins for the opening matches.
Cummins Casts Doubt on Boxing Day Appearance
Following the series-clinching victory, captain Pat Cummins delivered news that will disappoint fans hoping to see him at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The fast bowler, who returned from injury to lead in the third Test, strongly indicated he would miss the fourth match starting December 26.
"I doubt I'll be playing Melbourne," Cummins stated in the post-match press conference. He explained the team's pre-series mindset, saying they took an aggressive approach to win the Ashes while the series was alive, accepting the injury risk. "Now that the series has been won, there might be a sense of job's done and let's kind of reassess the risk," he added.
Cummins confirmed that his participation in the final Test in Sydney would also be subject to discussions with the team management over the coming days.
Defying the Odds: From Underdogs to Champions
The Australian triumph is a remarkable feat considering the narrative before the series began. English media and cricket experts had heavily favoured England, citing Australia's crippling injury crisis. Both Pat Cummins and fellow pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood were unavailable for the first two Tests in Perth and Brisbane.
In their absence, veteran batsman Steve Smith took over the captaincy and led the team to convincing eight-wicket victories in both matches. This laid a formidable foundation for the series, putting England on the back foot early.
Cummins praised the team's resilient culture, highlighting Smith's seamless leadership. "Even though I missed the first couple of games, Steve stepped right in. It was smooth, seamless... That's one of the big reasons why we've had success over the last couple of years," Cummins told broadcasters after the Adelaide win.
Looking Ahead: Management and Melbourne
The focus now shifts to player management for the Australian think tank. With the urn secured, the priority is clearly the long-term fitness of key players like Cummins. His comments suggest a cautious approach for the dead rubbers, prioritizing recovery over participation.
Smith, who missed the third Test in Adelaide due to a bout of vertigo, is expected to be fit and likely to resume captaincy duties if Cummins is rested. The Australian team's depth and next-man-up mentality, which served them so well in the first two Tests, will be tested again as they aim to extend their lead in the series.
The Boxing Day Test at the MCG, one of cricket's grandest stages, will now be played with Australia as the confirmed holders of the Ashes, but potentially without their triumphant captain leading them onto the field.
