Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Australia captain Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon have returned to the playing XI for the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide, while opener Usman Khawaja has been left out, putting his test career at a crossroads. Cummins comes back after recovering from a back injury, missing the first two matches in Perth and Brisbane, and Lyon returns after being dropped for the second test, which Australia won by eight wickets.
Cummins and Lyon replace pace bowlers Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser, joining Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in the Australian attack. Khawaja missed Brisbane due to back spasms, leaving Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to open. Even though Khawaja is fit, selectors have decided to continue with Head and Weatherald after their successful partnership in the previous match.
Cummins said Khawaja, who turns 39 on Thursday and has played 85 tests with a batting average of 43.56, still has a chance to return to the team. He emphasized that Khawaja’s experience and ability to score both at the top and middle of the order keeps him in the squad as a potential option.
Josh Inglish will remain at number seven in the batting lineup after stepping into the middle order in Brisbane. Australia leads the five-match series 2-0 and needs only a draw in Adelaide to retain the Ashes urn. Cummins also noted that lessons from the last Ashes in 2023, when England drew the series 2-2 after Australia led 2-0, have been remembered.
Australia’s confirmed XI for Adelaide includes Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Scott Boland.
English
