I doubt I'll be playing in Melbourne: Pat Cummins

Having retained the Ashes, Australia might make changes for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Captain Pat Cummins is unlikely to feature, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon is also doubtful for the fourth Test after picking up a hamstring injury on Day 5 in Adelaide.

Cummins, who missed the first two Tests with lower back issues, returned for the third game, taking three wickets in each innings. However, with the series secured, he may rest for the fourth Test to manage risk ahead of the New Year Test in Sydney.

"First of all, I felt great. Just like a normal Test match. Bowling mid-30s overs, if anything, because I came into this Test match quite fresh, I feel my legs are still decent. Sometimes you're hanging on to some residual soreness from previous games. So, feeling really good. As for the rest of the series, we'll see," said Cummins after the game.

"We had a pretty aggressive build-up knowing that there's an Ashes there to be won, and we thought that was worth it. Now that the series has been won, there might be a sense of job's done and let's kind of reassess the risk. We'll work it out over the next couple of days. I doubt I'll be playing Melbourne and then we'll have a chat about Sydney.

"Certainly before the series, it was while the series is alive let's take on the risk and have a crack at it. Now that's it done, I think we'll need to have a chat about it," he added.

Cummins also admitted that Lyon's injury "doesn't look great." Lyon pulled his right hamstring while fielding and was later seen on crutches. In his absence, Todd Murphy, Matthew Kuhnemann, and uncapped Corey Rocchiccioli are potential replacements.

"It's going to be hard to replace him, but we have some guys who have already had a taste of international cricket around the traps," Cummins said.

Meanwhile, Steve Smith could return for the fourth Test after missing the Adelaide game due to vertigo-like symptoms. Usman Khawaja, who scored 82 in his recall, is set to retain his spot, likely moving to No.5 to accommodate Smith at No.4, with Josh Inglis possibly making way.

Among the pacers, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland have played all three Tests and could feature in the fourth despite the short turnaround.

"At the start of the series, you always anticipate that you're going to have to chop and change a little bit. Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser were the two spare bowlers here. Jhye Richardson has been bowling in the nets and a few other guys who are playing in the Big Bash are keeping their workloads up, ready, in case they're needed.

"Like always, give it 48 hours. See how everyone pulls up. But at the moment they both seem good. Good luck to anyone telling Starcy or even Scotty that they're going to miss a Boxing Day Test if they're fully fit," Cummins said.