Australia get the boost they’ve been waiting for as Pat Cummins returns to the lead in the third Ashes Test in Adelaide since December 17. The fast bowler, who has been recovering from a lower back injury since July, is the only addition to the established 15-man squad named by Cricket Australia for the day-night match.
Cummins sat out the first two Tests but followed his the team took a 2-0 lead with emphatic wins in Perth and Brisbane. Australia now have a chance to keep the urn with two Tests left to play, a scenario only strengthened with their captain and premiership fast bowler back in the squad.
The 32-year-old has not played since the third Test against West Indies at Sabina Park, but signs of his fitness have been steadily improving. Head coach Andrew McDonald revealed Cummins had come much closer to performing in Brisbane than expected, with a heavy training load and match scenario simulations convincing staff he was “as ready as can be” for Adelaide. His return restores Australia’s preferred balance: three frontline fast bowlers supported by a specialist spinner.
Usman Khawaja also remains in the squad as he continues his recovery and pushes for his place back at the top of the order. All-rounder Beau Webster and off-spinner Nathan Lyon, both overlooked in the second Test, return to offer depth and adaptability for pink-ball conditions. Their inclusion ensures that Australia have more combinations at their disposal depending on the surface and England’s selection.
Despite Josh Hazlewood being ruled out of the seriesAustralia still boast an impressive pace line-up, with Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Michael Neser all in strong rhythm. For an England side already bruised by two heavy defeats, the prospect of facing a rested and fully fit Cummins under the lights at Adelaide Oval only adds to the challenge of keeping this Ashes contest alive.
Australia squad for third test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
December 10, 2025
