Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon have played down concerns about an ageing Aussie side, saying selectors have ‘done a great job’
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon have launched a defence of Australia’s selectors, rejecting Steve Waugh’s concerns over the looming transition of the Test side.
Waugh made headlines on Wednesday when he suggested selectors “(haven’t) really had the appetite” to make tough calls with an aging side.
The Test great also said players should not be publicly pushing teammates for selection, adamant that was a job for only Bailey and his panel.
But Cummins stressed on Thursday that he did not feel the players held any power, selectors had generally “been on the money” with their calls and the use of white-ball cricket and Australia A tours had the team set up for the future.
“I think the selectors have done a great job of managing the transition,” the injured Test captain said.
“One-day cricket, T20 cricket, Aussie A, there is Shield cricket.
“There are many pathways to upskill the next guys who will debut for Australia down the track.
“We’ve been really fortunate that a lot of our guys have probably played longer in their careers than perhaps previous guys have. So we haven’t had that churn.
“It was the same conversation three or four years ago, saying the end is close. But some of these guys, the way they look after themselves … They’re amazing.”
In 2023 selectors dropped an in-form Travis Head in India, while Marnus Labuschagne was axed for this year’s Frank Worrell Trophy series in the Caribbean.
Lyon was also left out of the team for the third Test against the West Indies, with Scott Boland coming in and taking a hat-trick.
Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis were both blooded in Sri Lanka this year, while Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney and Beau Webster all debuted last summer.
The bigger question surrounds the opening partnership, with Usman Khawaja to turn 39 next month and no long-term successor to David Warner settled on.
Steve Smith and Labuschagne spent time in the role, as has Head in Sri Lanka. Konstas and McSweeney have also been given chances, before being dropped.
“(Transition) is something we talk about as coaches and selectors,” Cummins said.
“In among the squads over the years there have been young guys who have gone to Sri Lanka or West Indies.
“We feel like there have been lots of guys around the Aussie set up who will be well placed to step up when needed.”
Australia will likely enter the first Ashes Test in Perth with just one player under 30 and Josh Hazlewood the youngest member of their bowling attack at 34.
But Lyon, who will turn 38 this month, insisted sports science meant current players were able to play far longer.
“The game has totally changed,” Lyon said.
“It is a lot more professional than what it was probably 10 years ago with the science behind it all and the recovery.
“I feel like age is just a number. I still feel like I am yet to play my best cricket.”
2025-26 NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes
First Test: November 21-25, Perth Stadium, 1.30pm AEDT
Second Test: December 4-8, The Gabba, Brisbane (D/N), 3.30pm AEDT
Third Test: December 17-21: Adelaide Oval, 11am AEDT
Fourth Test: December 26-30: MCG, Melbourne, 10.30am AEDT
Fifth Test: January 4-8: SCG, Sydney, 10.30am AEDT
Australia squad: (First Test only): Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
England squad: Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood
