Overview
- Australia confirmed Josh Hazlewood will miss the remaining three Tests due to hamstring and Achilles problems, with his preparation now aimed at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
- Coach Andrew McDonald said Pat Cummins has completed match-style workloads and is expected to captain Australia in the third Test starting December 17 in Adelaide.
- England’s Mark Wood has been ruled out for the rest of the series with a recurrence of his left‑knee injury and will return home for rehabilitation under ECB care.
- Surrey seamer Matthew Fisher, already in Australia with the England Lions, has been added to England’s squad as Wood’s replacement and owns one Test cap.
- Australia lead the five-match series 2–0, leaving England needing victory in Adelaide to stay alive, with Mitchell Starc currently leading the wickets tally with 18 and back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.