The Ashes 2025/26: Steve Smith captains Australia for Boxing Day Test as Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyons ruled out of series

Steve Smith will return to captain Australia in the Boxing Day Test against England, with Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon playing no further part in the series.

Smith captained the side in the first two Tests of the series, but was a late withdrawal from the third match in Adelaide after being struck down by dizziness and nausea.

Cummins resumed his role as skipper as the hosts clinched the urn by taking a 3-0 lead but has passed the reins back in Melbourne as a precaution over his recent back problems.

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Lyon, meanwhile, has undergone surgery on the hamstring tear he sustained on the final day in Adelaide.

Back-up spinner Todd Murphy has been called up as his replacement and is set to win his eighth cap at his home ground of the MCG. Seam bowler Jhye Richardson is also part of the squad after returning to full fitness.

Confirming Cummins' return to the sidelines, head coach Andrew McDonald said: "He won't play any part in the rest of the series.

"That was a discussion that we had a long time out around his return. We were taking on some risk, we've now won the series, and that was the goal. To position him for further risk and jeopardise him long term is not something that we want to do."

Scott Boland is also managing a minor hip complaint but is on track to be available, but 35-year-old Mitchell Starc - who has bowled more overs (95.5) and taken more wickets (22) than anyone else in the series - has been passed fully fit once again.

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"Starc's amazing. He's a freak: end of story," said McDonald.

"I don't know how he does it. He's pulled up well, he keeps running in and presenting the pace that he does. There's a lot to be learned around preparing yourself and targeting the right matches at the right time.

"He's given up a lot of IPL opportunities and you're seeing a player that wants to play Test cricket, and he's still at his best. It's an incredible story, and let's hope it continues for a long time yet."

Ashes series in Australia 2025-26

Australia lead five-match series 3-0

• First Test (Perth): Australia beat England by eight wickets
• Second Test (Brisbane): Australia beat England by eight wickets
• Third Test (Adelaide): Australia beat England by 82 runs
• Fourth Test: Friday December 26 - Tuesday December 30 (Melbourne)
• Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 - Thursday January 8 (Sydney)