Pat Cummins Returns to Australia Squad for Third Ashes Test

Pat Cummins has returned to the Australia squad for the upcoming third test of the Ashes 2025/26, starting from December 17 at Adelaide Oval.

The inclusion of Pat Cummins is the only addition to the group, as Cricket Australia has named a 15-member squad for the third test.

Earlier, he was almost picked for the Gabba test after his recovery from his lower back injury proceeded better than expected.

Pat Cummins bowled multiple spells under match simulations to be as prepared as possible for the third test.

Speaking on the squad announcement, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said, “He was well ahead of where we thought he’d be at and it did create a real live conversation for Brisbane.”

“With that in mind, us seeing him further advanced, we feel he’ll be really well placed for the challenges of Adelaide…We feel as though the simulation in the nets has him skill-ready. His body’s ready to go. Barring anything else happening in the next week, I’d be expecting Pat to be tossing the coin and putting the blazer on.”

Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja has also retained his place in the squad despite not featuring during the Perth test and missing the Gabba Test due to his back injury.

McDonald said, “Uz’ (Khawaja) should be fit and available,” he said. “The assumption is that (Khawaja) can only open as well. He does have flexibility. We like to think that all our batters have the flexibility to be able to perform anywhere in that order.”

With the return of Cummins and Nathan Lyon, two out of Scott Boland, Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett might miss out.

“The gap between one and two (Perth and Brisbane Tests), and two and three (Brisbane and Adelaide Tests) was something we thought we could manage, so it will more than likely be the best balanced and available attack for Adelaide,” McDonald said.

“So we wouldn’t be thinking that someone would need to rest there, it’s probably more so in Test matches four and five (Melbourne and Sydney),” McDonald added.

Currently, Australia leads 2-0 in the Ashes with three tests remaining. The third test will be played between December 17 and 21 at Adelaide Oval, North Adelaide.

Australia Squad for the Adelaide 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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