The third Test of the Ashes 2025-26 began with the bombshell news for the Australian fans that Steve Smith is not part of the playing XI in Adelaide. This allowed Usman Khawaja to make a re-entry into the Australian line-up under an unbelievable stroke of luck after being left out.
The Adelaide Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series, which Australia lead 2-0 after the first two Tests, began on Wednesday morning.
Both teams had announced their playing XIs on the eve of the match. Ben Stokes, whose England side needs to win this Test to keep their ambitions of regaining the Ashes urn and registering England’s first Test series victory on Australian soil since 2010/11 alive, opted to bring in Josh Tongue and drop Gus Atkinson.
Australia had confirmed two changes: captain Pat Cummins and off-spinner Nathan Lyon returning for Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett. However, that wasn’t it for Australia as Smith was also then ruled out.
AUS vs ENG: Why Is Steve Smith Not Playing 3rd Test Of Ashes 2025-26 In Adelaide?
Steve Smith was ruled out of the Adelaide Test on the morning of the match due to being unwell. He’s shown symptoms including nausea and dizziness and is being treated for a potential vestibular issue. Usman Khawaja, who missed the second Test due to back spasms and was left out of Australia’s initially-named XI in Adelaide, took Smith’s place in the side and batted at No. 4.
A Cricket Australia spokesperson said,
“Over the past few days he has been feeling unwell, with symptoms including nausea and dizziness. He was assessed and monitored closely and was close to being available to play. However, given the persistence of symptoms, a decision was made not to proceed.
“He is being treated for a potential vestibular issue. This is something Steve has experienced intermittently in the past and is being managed accordingly. He is expected to be available for the Boxing Day test in Melbourne.”
At the toss, Cummins said that Smith has been feeling unwell in the last two days and even had a net session in the morning of the Test but “didn’t think he was going to get up for this one. So he’s headed off home.”
Khawaja was excluded initially in Adelaide after Australia decided to continue with the new opening pair of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald and retain Josh Inglis in the lower middle order. But on return, he made his opportunity count in the first innings with a crucial half-century (so far).
The left-hander came in to bat when the hosts lost their openers for 33 runs. He started steadily but then began to blaze away shots. Jofra Archer struck twice in the same over just after lunch, but Khawaja settled down the nerves in the Australian camp once again with a solid fifty-run stand with Alex Carey.
At the time of writing, Australia are 149/4, with Khawaja unbeaten on 61 and Carey on 34*.
AUS vs ENG: Playing XI of both teams for 3rd Test, Ashes 2025/26
England: Ben Stokes(c), Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Jamie Smith(wk), Brydon Carse, Will Jacks, Josh Tongue
Australia: Pat Cummins(c), Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Nathan Lyon, Alex Carey(wk), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland
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