Cummins stars as Australia clinch Ashes with fourth Test triumph
Although he did show some grit to fight it out on the final day of the Old Trafford Test, the fact that all-rounder Ben Stokes won’t be available to bowl due to a shoulder injury seems to have gone against him as the selectors looked to strengthen the bowling line-up, drafting in the left-arm swing bowler, Sam Curran. Seamer Craig Overton, who ended with figures of 2-107, too got the axe with Chris Woakes returning to the fold.
Smith and Cummins consolidate top positions in Test rankings
Australia in their 12-man squad have replaced the out-of-sorts Travis Head with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh – a move that could well be to give some rest to their seamers who are coming on the back of some extended bowling hours in the fourth Test. The rest of their squad remains unchanged, with James Pattinson continuing to miss out with Peter Siddle.
Meanwhile, with an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series, Australia have retained the Ashes after the victory at Old Trafford.
England (Playing XI):Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes
Australia (12-man squad):David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Mitch Marsh, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (c, wk), Pat Cummins, Peter Siddle, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
