Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins is set to make his triumphant return to the national squad for the pivotal third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide, following his absence from the first two matches due to a back injury. The fast bowler’s comeback represents the sole alteration to Australia’s lineup after their commanding eight-wicket victory in Brisbane.
The upcoming Adelaide Test, commencing December 17th (23:30 GMT, December 16th), holds monumental significance for both teams. Australia requires merely a draw to retain the coveted Ashes urn, while a victory would secure the five-Test series outright. Historical statistics heavily favor the hosts, as England has never recovered from a 2-0 deficit to claim the Ashes in the tournament’s storied history.
Despite not playing competitive cricket since July, Cummins has maintained intensive training sessions with the squad throughout the initial Tests. His recovery progress prompted serious consideration for selection in the second Test, though leadership temporarily remained with Steve Smith. Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey provided encouraging updates on Cummins’ condition, noting: ‘He looks like he’s moving really well. He’s been around the group the whole time with lots of energy.’
The Australian selection committee faces several strategic decisions beyond Cummins’ inclusion. Pace bowler Josh Hazlewood remains unavailable for the remainder of the series due to persistent hamstring and Achilles concerns. Meanwhile, fast bowler Jhye Richardson will join training sessions in Adelaide as he progresses toward recovery from a shoulder injury, potentially becoming available for later matches.
Additional selection complexities involve off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who was omitted in Brisbane but is anticipated to return for Adelaide’s conditions. His inclusion could necessitate the exclusion of seamers Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser. Furthermore, batsman Usman Khawaja faces increased competition for middle-order positioning after missing previous Tests with back issues, with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald having established a formidable opening partnership during his absence.
While Australian players dispersed briefly between matches, the English squad sought respite in the coastal town of Noosa before resuming training on Sunday. England confronts the daunting challenge of breaking a 17-Test winless streak in Australia to keep their Ashes hopes alive at Adelaide Oval.
Carey emphasized Australia’s cautious optimism despite their advantageous position, referencing their 2023 experience: ‘We know England are a very good cricket team and we know we were in a position like this in England, then we weren’t able to win that series. We’re excited for the opportunity we’ve got, but also understand we have to keep playing good cricket.’