Australia has made significant changes to its lineup ahead of the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide. Captain Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon will return to the squad, while opener Usman Khawaja has been omitted. This decision places Khawaja’s future in Test cricket in a precarious position.
Cummins is back after missing the previous matches due to a back injury, and Lyon returns following his exclusion in the second Test, where Australia triumphed at the Gabba. Their inclusion sees pace bowlers Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser replaced, as the Australian attack will now feature Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland alongside the returning duo.
Khawaja’s absence from the Brisbane Test was due to back spasms sustained in Perth. He has remained with the squad but was overlooked in favor of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald, who have formed a successful opening partnership. Cummins articulated the selectors’ confidence in this new combination, indicating that it performed well enough to warrant continuity.
The captain acknowledged Khawaja’s impressive credentials, mentioning that at 39, he still has the potential to contribute significantly to the team. Despite not scoring a fifty since January 2023, Khawaja’s batting average remains solid at 43.56. Cummins emphasized that the selectors have been thoughtful in their team decisions, reinforcing that changes could still be made in the future.
Josh Inglis is set to bat at number seven, having stepped into the middle order during the Brisbane Test after Head’s promotion. Australia enters the match with a 2-0 lead in the series and only needs to draw in Adelaide to retain the Ashes. It’s a delicate situation, especially considering the previous series, where Australia held a 2-0 lead only to see the series end in a draw at 2-2.
The lessons learned from last year’s series in England are fresh in Cummins’ mind. He noted missed opportunities that could have secured the series, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on winning chances.
Overall, the Australian team is looking to build on their momentum while navigating the complexities of player selection, particularly concerning veterans like Khawaja.