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The Australian selection that will shock England
Andrew Slevison • December 23rd, 2025 10:25 am
Chatter is swirling that Jhye Richardson will come into the Australian XI for the Boxing Day Test.
Captain Pat Cummins looks highly unlikely to take his place in Melbourne due to his back injury with the idea to rest after retaining the Ashes in Adelaide.
While Michael Neser, who took five wickets in Brisbane, and Brendan Doggett have both played this Ashes series, it appears as though Western Australian quick Richardson will be the man for the MCG.
Liam Pickering and Tom Morris discussed the possibility of the 29-year-old returning to the Test arena for the first time since 2021.
“Neser deserves to come in for Cummins, but the whispers are so strong that it’s going to be Richardson,” Pickering said on SEN’s Big Bash coverage on Monday night.
Morris added: “The whispers out of the Perth Scorchers - and they would know given if he’s going to be available for them or not - they believe that he’s every chance to play on Boxing Day to come in for Cummins.
“How unlucky for Neser, and to a lesser extent Doggett as well.
“They see Jhye Richardson, if he’s fit, as a four or five-year prospect so they may as well get him in if they can.”
Former Aussie spinner Bryce McGain admits Neser is a bit stiff if he is overlooked but does concede that Richardson’s selection will shock England.
He firmly believes the English side will not know how to deal with Richardson given his attributes as a fast swing bowler.
“He (Neser) would be (unlucky) but they often say horses for courses,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“Neser’s course is the Gabba and he’s gone and delivered up there. He’s been a major contributor to the Ashes being won, and that’s part of this outstanding story that it’s not just been the big four if you like (Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc and Lyon).
“I think this is a great move. Seeing him (Richardson) just a few weeks ago, he is bowling fast and the ball is moving. It’s going to be something that England have not experienced. This will be over 140-145kph, outswing, keeps it up, and he’s got a slippery short ball.
“This is going from bad to worse for them, I can assure you. He is in really good bowling form.
“England are going to be shocked if this happens and it will have a big impact. I think it’s a really good decision.”
The last time Richardson played in Australian white was in the second Ashes Test against England in Adelaide in December 2021. He took five wickets in the second innings as the Aussies won by 275 runs.
His Test record is 11 wickets from three matches at 22.09 with a strike rate of 48.6.
The Boxing Day Test kicks off in Melbourne on Friday with the Aussies on the hunt for a 4-0 series lead.
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