Ashes 2025-26: Jhye Richardson eyeing return with Boxing Day Test

Australia pacer Jhye Richardson is in line to be named in the squad for the Boxing Day Test after recovering from his shoulder surgery, with Pat Cummins likely to miss out in Melbourne as well as the New Year’s Test in Sydney. While Richardson was not officially part of the squad, he trained with the team ahead of the Adelaide encounter. Also in contention are Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser, who took a fifer in Brisbane.

Meanwhile, Australia also need a replacement for Nathan Lyon, who has been ruled out of the series owing to a hamstring injury. It is understood that Todd Murphy is the likeliest candidate to fill the vacant spot, although off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli could get his maiden call-up, while left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann might also have an outside chance.

As for Richardson, his last outing in Australia’s whites came a year ago in the Boxing Day Test against India, following which he underwent shoulder surgery to be ruled out of cricketing action for nearly a year. The Ashes was earmarked for Richardson’s international return, with Australia selectors hopeful of his recovery in time to be available for the latter half of the series.

Richardson resumed action with grade cricket and earned more game time with Cricket Australia XI before turning out for Australia A against the Lions, gradually amping up his workload. Richardson was part of Perth Scorchers squad in the ongoing Big Bash League but missed their season opener due to being with the Test team.

Having made his Test debut in 2018-19, he has been able to play only three Tests thus far, with multiple injuries pegging him back. He has 11 wickets at an average of 22.09.

With Australia securing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, Cummins reckoned that his participation in the series may have ended in Adelaide. That said, he said that neither Mitchell Starc nor Scott Boland would be rested bar fitness concerns, if any.

"I'm feeling really good, [but] as for the rest of the series we'll wait and see," he said. "We had a pretty aggressive build-up knowing that it's the Ashes there to be won and we thought that was worth it. Now that the series has been won, there might be a sense of job's done and let's reassess the risk.

"Good luck to anyone telling Starcy or even Scotty Boland that they're going to miss a Boxing Day Test if they're fully fit,” he concluded.