Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon return to the starting lineup for the third Ashes Test, which begins on Wednesday (December 17), as Usman Khawaja is left out of the Adelaide Test playing XI. They take the place of Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser. In an attempt to win the match after leading 2-0 in the first two Test matches, Australia has stayed with their opening pairing of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald.
Five months after sustaining a lower back stress injury during the 3-0 series victory over the West Indies in July, Cummins is making his first comeback to competitive cricket.
It would be unfortunate for Neser, who took five wickets in the second innings at the Gabba last week, to be unable to play in the third Test. Doggett was Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker after the first two Tests, tied with Scott Boland on seven.
However, Cummins and Lyon, who have a combined total of 871 Test wickets, have returned to the team, forcing the two to miss out.
Regarding batting, Cummins was unsure about the unexpected opening pairing of Head and Weatherald. “For the time being, it seems reasonable.” That may alter,” Cummins remarked.
“After every game, you consider what you believe the team needs for the following week, but it seems like we have a lot of flexibility with the present lineup.
“I think the main thing that changed for us was Trav [Head] opening following the first test and how well that looked with ‘Weathers’ [Weatherald].” The middle order didn’t seem to need to be changed because we were quite content with that batting lineup.”
Because to the Head-Weatherald opening combination, Khawaja is unable to find a spot in the side. Khawaja will turn 39 in two days, but her career is unclear. Cummins did not, however, rule out the veteran making a comeback.
“The fact that Uzzie scores runs at the top is one of his best qualities. His runs have been in the middle. He wouldn’t be on the squad if we didn’t think he would be competent enough to start right away. Therefore, if necessary, I can definitely see a way back in the future.
Josh Tongue has replaced Gus Atkinson in England’s playing XI, which was altered from Brisbane.
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