Cummins back for third Ashes Test

Thursday, 11 December 2025 04:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Australia Captain Pat Cummins will return for what could be a decisive third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide next week.

The fast bowler missed the first two Tests – which Australia won – because of a back problem. His addition is the only change to the Australia squad following the eight-wicket win in Brisbane.

Australia need only a draw in Adelaide to retain the Ashes, while victory will mean they win the five-Test series. England have never come from 2-0 down to win the Ashes.

The third Test starts on 17 December.

Cummins has not played since July, but trained with the rest of the squad around the first two Tests.

The rest of the Australia squad is as expected, with pace bowler Josh Hazlewood absent for the rest of the series because of hamstring and Achilles problems. Fast bowler Jhye Richardson will also train with Australia in Adelaide as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury, with a view to possibly playing later in the series.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon missed out on the team in Brisbane and is expected to return in Adelaide. If Lyon is included along with Cummins, it could mean seamers Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser are left out.

Australia have another decision to make over Usman Khawaja. The left-hander was unable to open in the first Test because of a back problem, which then caused him to miss the second Test.

Travis Head and Jake Weatherald have formed an impressive opening partnership in his absence. Khawaja could therefore be competing with Josh Inglis for a place in the middle order.