Australia have kept Travis Head as opener for the third Ashes Test while recalling Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, with Usman Khawaja left out.
Australia have confirmed their XI for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, retaining Travis Head at the top of the order while bringing back Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon. The changes mean Usman Khawaja, who turns 39 on Thursday, misses out. Selectors continue with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald as the opening pair for the Adelaide Oval contest.
Cummins resumes captaincy duties in the third test, marking his first competitive appearance in five months. He returns after recovering from a bone stress injury that ruled him out earlier in the summer. Lyon also re-enters the side.
Despite Khawaja’s omission, Pat Cummins reassured that his international prospects remain open. His ability to score runs in multiple batting roles keeps him in selection discussions.
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“I think the selectors have been quite adamant we’re picking a side each week. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s got to be exactly the same team as the previous week. We do that with the bowlers. One of Uzzie’s great strengths is he scores runs at the top. He’s scored runs in the middle. If we didn’t think he’d be good enough to come straight in, then he wouldn’t be here in the squad,” Cricket Australia quoted Cummins as saying.
“So, absolutely I can see a path back at some point if needed,” he added.
Head And Weatherald Opening Pair Continues To Impress
Meanwhile, Australia’s new opening combination of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald continues to deliver results, raising discussion around its future beyond the current Ashes series. The pairing came together after Usman Khawaja suffered back spasms in Perth last month. However, the team management views the partnership as a flexible option rather than a permanent solution.
“At the moment it feels like it makes sense for now. That might change. In the past, (Head) has done bits and bobs on different tours where it felt like (opening) made sense,” Pat Cummins said.
“He’ll do it this week. Each game you have a look at what you think the next week needs, but it feels like with the current line-up, we’ve got plenty of flexibility in the squad. The big thing that shifted on us is probably Trav opening after that first test, and how good that’s looked with ‘Weathers’. We were pretty happy that that batting line up, and it didn’t feel like (there was) a need to change the middle order,” he added.
Additionally, Steve Smith has returned to full training after missing a session on Monday due to a mild illness and trained on Tuesday.
Pace Bowlers Left Out As Nathan Lyon Returns To The XI
Australia will also field a frontline spinner in the third Test, recalling Nathan Lyon after using an all-seam attack in Brisbane. His return limits bowling spots despite strong performances from Michael Neser and Scott Doggett, both of whom contributed significantly in earlier matches.
“It’s not only Uzzie, there’s Beau Webster who’s missed out these three Tests. Ness’ is coming off a five-for, ‘Doggy’ playing the first two Tests and doing really well. So there’s a disappointed group of players, but they’ve all been fantastic around the group. They’re buying in. We know we need a squad to win an Ashes series, and they’ve all been brilliant,” Cummins concluded.
Australia XI
Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
England XI
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue
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