Pat Cummins returns as Australia announces strong 15-man Ashes squad for third Test

Cricket Australia, on Wednesday, December 10, named a strong 15-man squad for the upcoming third Ashes 2025-26 Test of the ongoing five-match series, scheduled to start on Wednesday, December 7, at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

Delving into the details of the just-announced squad, pacer and captain Pat Cummins is all set to make his return into the playing XI after recovering from lumbar back stress. He’s making his comeback after missing out on five months of cricket. 

"We feel as though he'll be as best prepared as can be. 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,”  Australia coach Andrew McDonald told reporters on Tuesday.

"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,” he added.

"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,” he noted.

Meanwhile, top-order batter Usman Khawaja is also returning to the playing XI after recovering from a back injury. On the other hand, Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out for the rest of the Ashes after he hurt his Achilles tendon. Spinner Nathan Lyon is also making his return to the playing XI after missing out on the XI from the pink ball Test.

Australia squad for third Test vs England: 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.

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