On Tuesday, 16 December, the Australia national cricket team announced its playing eleven for the third Test of the five-match Ashes series against the England national cricket team.
The Australian national cricket team has received two big boosts for the third match of the Ashes 2025-26 as their captain Pat Cummins returns to the side along with legendary spinner Nathan Lyon.
Usman Khawaja faced cruel humiliation
Australia is leading 2-0 in the Ashes 2025-26 after winning the first two matches. They will be keen to win the series in the third match in Adelaide.
The selection committee and team management have decided to keep Usman Khawaja out of the playing eleven despite the experienced opener being fully fit.
This means that Jake Weatherald and Travis Head will continue to open the innings and Josh Inglis will retain his place in the middle order.
Meanwhile, captain Pat Cummins has been sent straight back into the playing eleven after regaining full fitness. Apart from this, spinner Nathan Lyon has also returned after missing the last match. Both of them have replaced Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett in the team.
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Didn’t feel there was a need for a change in the middle order – Pat Cummins
Speaking ahead of the third Test, captain Pat Cummins said there was no need to make any changes in the middle order. He said:
“I think the big thing that’s changed on us is probably Trav opening after the first Test and how well it’s felt with Vader, so we’re very happy with that batting line-up. It didn’t feel like there needed to be a change in the middle order.
“Till now it seemed like this [Head and Weatherald] Able to keep the scoreboard ticking. He has an answer for whatever is thrown at him. That really set the stage for our innings.
“I think you’ve seen people like Marnus [Labuschagne] and steve [Smith] Go after that and really get off of him and get a good start to your innings. I don’t know whether it has defeated the opposition or not, but it has certainly gained some kind of momentum, kept the scoreboard going and got our innings off to a great start.”
Apart from this, Pat Cummins did not close the doors of Usman Khawaja’s comeback and said that he can still make a comeback. Cummins said:
“Yes, potentially. I think the selectors are quite adamant [that] We are picking a side each week, that doesn’t mean it will be the same team as last week. We do that with the bowlers this week.
“Obviously, Nathan Lyon is coming back. One of the big strengths of Uzi is that he has scored up top, he has scored in the middle. If we didn’t think he would be good enough to come straight in, he wouldn’t be in the team here. So, certainly, I can see a way back at some point if needed.”
The captain was also impressed by the way his team managed to take a 2-0 lead even in the absence of him and Josh Hazlewood. He said:
“Incredible, I think it shows a lot of depth in the Australian cricket system with the fast bowlers currently,” he said. “When I said it it’s worked out almost perfectly… We’re halfway through the series, I’m back on the line, you’ve got Ness and Dougie who have been rested this week, but they’ve obviously acclimated themselves to the series and are available for the last two games.
Australia’s playing XI for the third Ashes Test:
1 Jake Weatherald, 2 Travis Head, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Cameron Green, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Josh Inglis, 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Scott Boland
