Pat Cummins is all set to make his first appearance of the Ashes in the third Test at the Adelaide Oval after being named in the 15-man squad. Usman Khawaja, who missed the last Test, has retained his place.
Since the third Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park in July this year, Cummins has not played any professional cricket in the lead-up to the Ashes. The Australian captain missed the opening two Tests because of a lumbar stress injury. His inclusion is the only change from the squad that featured in the Brisbane Test, and it strengthens Australia’s bowling department.
The right-arm pacer was close to playing in the last Test but was given a precautionary rest.
“He was well ahead of where we thought he’d be at, and it did create a real live conversation for Brisbane,” head coach Andrew McDonald said. “With that in mind, 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 got 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, Khawaja, who had a rusty net session ahead of the second Test, prompted the team management and selectors to drop him. McDonald confirmed that the Queenslander is fit and available and could return at the top of the order. “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 perform anywhere in that order.”
The third Test begins in Adelaide on 17 December.
Australia squad for the third 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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