AustraliaPlaying eleven for third the ashes 2025-26 test Two key comebacks to the bowling attack have been confirmed in Adelaide as the hosts look to clinch the series. captain pat cummins The experienced off-spinner has returned after missing the first two Tests due to a back injury. nathan lyon He has also been recalled after being controversially dropped from the team for the last match in Brisbane. However, the most notable exclusion from the team is the fully fit opening batsman Usman KhawajaBecause the selectors opted for consistency with the winning opening partnerships.
Ashes 2025-26, 3rd Test: Pat Cummins returns to strengthen bowling attack for Adelaide XI
Australia have made two changes to their bowling unit for the crucial third Test at the Adelaide Oval, adding captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, signaling a return to a more traditional structure that utilizes a specialist spinner. This inclusion has come at the expense of two fast bowlers who performed strongly in the last Test: All-rounder Michael NesserWho took five wickets and fast bowler Brendan DoggettCummins, who missed the first two Tests due to a back injury, confirmed that he is now fully fit and ready to lead the attack without any restrictions, which is a big boost for the team,
Talking about his comeback and fitness levels, Cummins said:
“If I was playing in Brisbane, I would probably be in limited overs, but this week it is going to play like any other Test match.”
The captain also acknowledged the difficult decisions regarding missing players, while praising the team spirit within the squad:
“And it’s not just Uzzi, you’ve also got Beau Webster who has missed these three Tests. Neser is coming off five-FA and Doggie (Doggett) played in the first two Tests and has been really good. So a disappointed group of players. But they’ve all been brilliant in the group. We need a team to win an Ashes series and they’ve all been brilliant.”
Lyon’s inclusion is crucial to Adelaide’s pitch, which is expected to aid spin as the game progresses, adding an important tactical dimension to the Australian attack. Mitchell Starc And Scott Boland,
Also read: Grace Hayden predicts Ashes scoreline as Australia leads 2-0 over England
Usman Khawaja dropped as selectors look for opening continuity
The most controversial selection call was the decision to drop the experienced opener Usman KhawajaDespite the 85-Test veteran recovering from back spasms that kept him out of the second Test. The selectors decided to stick with the new, successful opening pair travis head And Jake WeatheraldWho had a strong partnership after Khawaja got injured in the first test. Khawaja, who turns 39 this month and has been facing a poor run of form recently, will have to wait to make a comeback into the team.
Captain Pat Cummins expressed hope for Khawaja’s future and insisted that the veteran’s international career is not over:
“Yes, potentially… I think the selectors are adamant that we are picking a team every week, it doesn’t mean it will be the same team as last week… A big strength of Uzi (Khwaja) is that he has scored runs at the top, he has scored runs in the middle… If we didn’t think he would be good enough to come straight in, he wouldn’t be here in the team. So definitely, I can see a way back at some point if necessary.”
Rest of the batting order remains unchanged from the previous Test josh inglis Retaining his position at number seven, underlined the selectors’ confidence in the stability of the current top seven. This decision to prioritize continuity in a winning batting order, even at the expense of a fit and experienced veteran, underlines Australia’s ruthless approach to winning an Ashes series.
Australia XI for Adelaide Test:
Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
Also read: Ashes 2025-26: England unveil playing XI for Adelaide Test without specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir
