Three forced changes set to give Australian selectors Christmas headaches ahead of Boxing Day Test
Australia will likely need to make three changes to their XI for the Boxing Day Test, despite securing the Ashes in Adelaide.
Nathan Lyon will likely miss with a hamstring injury suffered during the match, while captain Pat Cummins has indicated he is in doubt to play, after returning for the third Test.
It was Cummins' first game back from a back stress issue, with the quick turnaround set to see him rested in Melbourne.
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Meanwhile, batsman Steve Smith is also likely to be recalled for Boxing Day, after missing the third Test due to illness.
Naturally, the coaches will spend their Christmas with selection headaches to mull over.
So let's break all three situations down and see who is in the mix.
Todd Murphy, Corey Rocchiccioli and Matt Kuhnemann. Getty
Who replaces Nathan Lyon?
It will likely be a three-horse race to replace Lyon in Melbourne, between spinners Todd Murphy, Corey Rocchiccioli and Matt Kuhnemann.
Murphy, an off-spinner out of Victoria, has often been viewed as next in line behind Lyon, while Kuhnemann has also received opportunities bowling on the sub continent for Australia.
Both would be safe picks, with Murphy also knowing the conditions of his home turf.
West Australian Rocchiccioli is the bolter in the pack, having taken more wickets than both men combined so far in the Sheffield Shield.
The 28-year-old has played 48 first class matches for W.A and has taken 161 wickets. He has looked the goods in the Shield so far this summer.
This is, of course, if they choose a spinner to replace Lyon. They opted to go with four seamers in Brisbane, but it will likely depend on the pitch that is presented at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Jhye Richardson in the nets. Getty
Who replaces Pat Cummins?
It's likely as simple as Michael Neser gets his spot back in the XI. He was unlucky to lose it to begin with after a five-wicket haul in the second innings in Brisbane.
Neser troubled England's batsmen and was instrumental in closing things out at the Gabba.
Brendan Doggett was also omitted for Adelaide for Cummins and Lyon, but now sits behind the Queenslander in the pecking order, after initially being selected over him in Perth.
The interesting one to consider would be Jhye Richardson, who is back bowling at full tilt after sitting out all of 2025 following significant shoulder surgery.
Richardson was with the team in Adelaide and took five wickets for Australia A against the England Lions in Brisbane.
Usman Khawaja of Australia walks off the field after being dismissed by Will Jacks of England for 82 runs. Getty
Who misses out for Steve Smith?
Usman Khawaja looked as good as he has in years batting at No.4 for Australia after he was thrust into the role with Smith sick.
Whether it was the freedom of the opportunity coming out of nowhere or batting down the order, Khawaja scored freely, making 82 in the first innings and 40 in the second.
It will either be the 39-year-old or Josh Inglis who misses out in all likelihood, though Jake Weatherald only made 19 runs in the Test. He has surely done enough to hold on for the series at this point, however.
Inglis made 32 and then 10 after making 23 in Adelaide and hasn't set the world on fire.
If he is the one to make way, it will be interesting to see how the batting order is shuffled.
Travis Head has dominated at the top of the order and Smith will slot back in at four, potentially meaning Khawaja could bat at five or six.
Cameron Green has struggled with the bat and may benefit from being demoted to six behind Khawaja and the returning Smith, though Alex Carey has also looked the goods at six so far, earning man of the match honours in Adelaide. However, it's hard to imagine Green sliding all the way to seven.
Michael Neser acknowledges the crowd following his five-wicket haul. Getty
Final calls
These are all good headaches to have for the selectors, of course.
Despite having a horrendous run with injuries, they have wrapped up the Ashes before Christmas.
Giving Rocchiccioli a well deserved chance in Lyon's absence gives them a look at him on the biggest stage.
Neser is the easy call to replace Cummins and should be rewarded for his form in Brisbane, as tantalising as it would be to go with Richardson.
Smith returning for Inglis, with Khawaja batting at five, Green at six and Carey at seven is also the smoothest way to reset the batting order. Neser at eight and Starc at nine also makes for a significantly reinforced tail.
We likely won't have a final call on the three decisions until Boxing Day comes around. Cummins is yet to be fully ruled out, while Smith's return also hasn't been completely confirmed, though it is expected.
