Ashes 2025: Lyon says he has ‘nothing to prove’ ahead of likely return at Adelaide
Despite featuring in 140 Tests for Australia, Lyon has been left out of the XI twice in the last three matches, a rare situation for the experienced campaigner.
Despite featuring in 140 Tests for Australia, Lyon has been left out of the XI twice in the last three matches, a rare situation for the experienced campaigner.
“A heap of things is on the table. We’ll wait and see what the wicket is like, and from there we’ll determine a playing XI,” Smith said.
On the eve of the pink-ball Test at the Gabba, Stokes made it clear that the selection was dictated by conditions and team balance, not a reflection on Bashir’s standing within the squad.
The 38-year-old will remain with the side to continue his rehabilitation, and no replacement has been named in his place. This means Australia's squad for the Gabba encounter is trimmed down to 13.
“We know that there'll be a lot of disappointed fans in England after that first defeat,” Stokes told reporters.
Cummins, who was hopeful of playing a major role in Australia’s effort to retain the Ashes urn, has been ruled out of the opener in Perth on November 21 and could miss all five Tests, with Steve Smith expected to lead against Ben Stokes’ England.
His previous match had come at Headingley in 2022, when he made a match-turning 97 in partnership with Jonny Bairstow.
Wood, who last featured in a Test in August 2023, has been working his way back from the knee injury he sustained at the ICC Champions Trophy in February.
Speaking at a Play Cricket Week event, Hazlewood singled out Joe Root and Harry Brook, currently ranked first and second in the ICC men’s Test batting rankings, as major threats.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg believes the high-intensity and aggressive tone of the ongoing series between England and India will boost interest and ticket sales for the upcoming 2025 Ashes, starting November 21.
