Australia have confirmed their playing XI for the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval, with Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon both returning as the hosts look to clinch the urn this week. The return of Cummins and Lyon underlines Australia’s intent to press their advantage after an emphatic eight-wicket victory at the Gabba.
The fast bowler will also resume the captaincy from Steve Smith, marking his first competitive appearance in five months. Cummins, who has been sidelined since early in the summer due to a bone stress injury, missed the first two games of the series. Also back in the XI is veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who had been left out of the second game.
Notably, at the top of the order, selectors have resisted the temptation to recall Usman Khawaja. Instead, they have persisted with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald as the opening pair. Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett have been omitted as Australia reshuffle their pace options to accommodate Cummins’ return.
“The big thing that shifted on us is probably Trav opening in that first Test, and how good that’s looked with Jake Weatherald. So we’re pretty happy with that and didn’t feel like a need to change the middle order," Cummins said while announcing the playing XI.
Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland