Follow UsAfter missing the first two Tests due to a back flare-up, Pat Cummins is officially back as he’s been named in Australia’s squad for the third Ashes Test starting on December 17 in Adelaide. Australia have named a 15-person squad but Cummins is the only addition to the group, with the incumbent Test skipper poised for a return.
His imminent return means that the hosts will have to choose between leaving out Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland and Michael Neser, with Doggett looking the most likely to make way following an unimpressive showing in the day-night Test in Brisbane. Nathan Lyon, who is in the squad, is also poised for a return, and that will mean potentially one more pacer getting the axe.
Speaking of Cummins, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said that the 32-year-old was very close to returning in the second itself, but the management instead wanted him to be ‘best prepared’ for the third game.
"We feel as though he'll be as best prepared as can be," Australia coach Andrew McDonald told reporters on Tuesday.
"He was well ahead of where we thought he'd be at and it did create a real live conversation for (Cummins playing in) Brisbane.
"It was debated a lot leading into that Test match. With that in mind, us seeing him further advanced, we feel he'll be really well placed for the challenges of Adelaide albeit (it's still) a long way off.
"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."
Usman Khawaja, who did not play the second Test in Brisbane due to a back spasm, has fully recovered and is in both the squad and the mix as well, and McDonald said that the 39-year-old could even possibly bat in the middle-order, with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald doing a fine job up the batting order.
"'Uz' (Khawaja) should be fit and available, and then we will work out our batting order based on the surface and work out our bowling selections based on the surface and the opponents that we think that they may present to us," McDonald said.
"The assumption is that (Khawaja) can only open as well. He does have flexibility.
"We like to think that all our batters have the flexibility to be able to perform anywhere in that order."
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that Jhye Richardson is back in the mix, and will train with the national team in Adelaide as he braces for a comeback. Richardson, who last played a Test for Australia in 2021, recently represented Australia 'A' against England Lions and took 5 wickets in the match.
Australia squad for third Test
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