Weeks ahead of the Ashes 2025-26, there is no definite timeline for captain Pat Cummins’ return to action. Reportedly, Cummins is set to miss the Ashes opener in Perth and doubtful for the remainder of the series as well. While Cummins’ absence is a huge blow to Australia, former opener Simon Katich feels that 28-year-old pacer Henry Thornton who was part of the tour against India A can be considered by George Bailey-led selection committee as replacement.
Thornton played just one game on the tour. In the second unofficial Test against Dhruv Jurel-led India A, he caused a collapse. He picked up a four-fer to help Nathan McSweeney-led side bowl out India A for 194. His scalps were Narayan Jagadeesan, Devdutt Padikkal, Jurel and Mohammed Siraj. All four of these players are part of India's current Test squad for home series against West Indies. However, Thornton could not feature in all three One-Dayers as he suffered stomach infection and was even hospitalised.
While Katich believes that Thornton can be roped in as Cummins’ replacement, it will be Scott Boland who will walk into the playing eleven to join the pace attack featuring Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
“I reckon there might be a smoky as well, a young kid from New South Wales who is now in South Australia who has just played recently for Australia A, if that’s any indicator of how the selectors might be thinking,” Katich told SEN Radio. “That’s Henry Thornton, he’s 28 now, but he’s still young in terms of being inexperienced.
“He’s only played seven first-class games, but he’s a wicket-taker, and that’s something they might be looking at because we know Pat Cummins cracks games open by taking wickets in bursts of two or three at a time. But I think Scott Boland comes first in if he misses that first Test.”
Boland has often got chances when one of three pacers is out injured. That’s how he played in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final against India.
Thornton’s first-class record
Thornton has been part of several Australia A tours over the years. However, he has played just seven first-class games, taking 25 wickets at an average of 23.76, including two four-fers. He made his first-class debut for South Australia in previous season and claimed three wickets in the second innings. It is yet to be seen whether he represents South Australia in the ongoing Sheffield Shield 2025-26 season.