Australia has recalled captain Pat Cummins and senior spinner Nathan Lyon to the playing XI for the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide, while veteran opener Usman Khawaja has been left out despite regaining fitness, putting his Test future under renewed scrutiny.
Cummins returns after recovering from a back injury that ruled him out of the opening two Tests in Perth and Brisbane. Lyon is also back in the side after being dropped for the second Test at the Gabba, which Australia won by eight wickets. The duo replace pace bowlers Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser, joining Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in the bowling attack.
Khawaja, who missed the Brisbane Test due to back spasms suffered in Perth, remained with the squad and was available for selection. However, selectors have opted to persist with the opening pair of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald after their promising start together.
Speaking at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday, Cummins said the success of the new opening combination influenced the decision. “The big thing that’s shifted is Trav opening after that first Test and how good that’s looked with Weathers,” Cummins said. “We were pretty happy with that batting lineup, and it didn’t feel like it needed to change, especially the middle order.”
Khawaja, who turns 39 this week, has played 85 Tests and averages 43.56 but has not scored a half-century since his double hundred against Sri Lanka in Galle last January. Despite being omitted, Cummins stressed that Khawaja remains firmly in contention.
“The selectors have been quite adamant that we’re picking a side each week,” Cummins said. “One of Ussie’s great strengths is that he’s scored runs at the top and in the middle. If we didn’t think he could come straight back in, he wouldn’t be here with the squad. I can absolutely see a path back for him if needed.”
Cummins also confirmed that Josh Inglis will continue batting at number seven after moving into the middle order in Brisbane following Head’s promotion to opener.
Australia currently leads the five-match Ashes series 2-0 and needs only a draw in Adelaide to retain the urn. Cummins said the team is mindful of lessons from the 2023 Ashes in England, where Australia also led 2-0 before the series ended in a 2-2 draw.
“We probably let a couple of winning opportunities slide, particularly at Headingley and The Oval,” he said. “You just can’t let them go.”
Australia XI for the third Ashes Test: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
