Ashes: Australia announce squad for fifth Test – Usman Khawaja retained, no Pat Cummins | Cricket News
Australia have named a 15-member squad for the fifth and final Ashes Test against England, which begins on January 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as confirmed by cricket.com.au. Steve Smith will continue to lead the team in the absence of Pat Cummins. The regular captain missed the first two Tests of the series after failing to recover in time from a lower back injury. Cummins returned for the Adelaide Test, where he took over the captaincy and helped Australia secure the Ashes at home. However, the team management has now opted to rest the fast bowler for the rest of the series.
The decision was taken to carefully manage Cummins’ workload and ensure he remains fully fit ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Cummins was named in Australia’s provisional squad for the world tournament. Usman Khawaja also retained his place in the team despite ongoing speculation regarding his Test future. The 39-year-old began the series as Australia’s established opener but endured a troubled campaign. He was unable to bat in the second innings of the Perth Test due to back spasms, missed the Brisbane Test completely and was initially left out for Adelaide before being recalled to bat at number four following Steven Smith’s illness. In the Fourth Test, Khawaja continued in the middle order alongside Travis Head and Jack Weatherald, scoring 29 runs in the first innings before being dismissed for a duck in the second. In the series so far, he has accumulated 153 runs in three matches and five innings at an average of 30.60, with his only half-century coming in Adelaide.Australia squad for the fifth Ashes Test:Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster. Australia head into the Sydney Test looking to respond after a four-wicket defeat to Ben Stokes’ England in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
