Pat Cummins returns as Australia announce squad for 3rd Ashes Test against England
Pat Cummins will lead Australia in the third Test against England in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 after making his comeback to the squad. Australia have also retained Usman Khawaja in their squad for the 3rd Test.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins is back in the squad for the third Test against England in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26. Cummins will take over captain from stand-in skipper Steve Smith, who led the hosts to thumping victories in the first two Tests to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match Test series. The third Ashes Test is set to be played at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide from December 17.
Cummins returned as Australia announced their squad for the third Ashes Test against England on Wednesday, December 10. The pacer is making his comeback after recovering from a lumbar back stress injury sustained earlier this year. Cummins sustained the injury during Australia's tour of the West Indies in July this year and was sidelined from action.
Cummins will be making his comeback to competitive cricket in the Adelaide Test against England. The pacer was expected to return in the recently concluded 2nd Ashes Test at The Gabba in Brisbane, however, the Australian selectors and the team management decided not to rush him into action after a long spell on the sidelines.
Cummins underwent match simulations to prepare for his much-awaited comeback for Australia. Earlier, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald revealed Cummins was ready after undergoing simulations and that he expects him to lead the team in the third Test in Adelaide, starting on December 17.
"He was well ahead of where we thought he'd be at and it did create a real live conversation for Brisbane," Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said on Cummins coming close to returning in the 2nd Test.
"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 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," he added.
Australia have also retained opener Usman Khawaja in their squad despite questions over his place in the side. Khawaja didn't feature prominently in the first Test due to an injury and was replaced by Travis Head, who slammed a match-winning ton for Australia in their second innings. The left-hander missed the 2nd Test in Brisbane entirely.
Who will Pat Cummins replace in Australia's playing XI for 3rd Test?
Cummins is likely to replace one of Michael Neser or Brendan Doggett in he playing XI for the 3rd Test against England in Adelaide. Neser picked up his maiden Test fifer in the pink-ball Test in Brisbane and will be unlucky to be left out of the playing XI after his strong performance.
With Nathan Lyon also in contention to return to the playing XI, there is also a strong chance that Australia might drop both Neser and Doggett from the playing XI. Scott Boland is likely to be the third pacer alongside Mitchell Starc and Cummins in the Adelaide Test.
Australia squad for 3rd Ashes Test against England:
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