Australia have left out Usman Khawaja for the third Test despite the opening batter being fit and available for selection.
Khawaja not considered; Cummins and Lyon return
Australia have named their playing XI for the third Test starting in Adelaide on December 17. Regular skipper Pat Cummins will make a comeback after missing the first two matches as he was recovering from an injury, and so will premier spinner Nathan Lyon, who was left out in Brisbane as the hosts preferred to go in with an all-seam attack. Michael Neser and Bredan Doggett will make way for the two senior-pros.
Usman Khawaja, however, has not been considered despite regaining fitness following the back spasms that restricted his role in the first Test at Perth. Instead, Australia have decided to stick with the opening combination of Jake Weatherald and Travis Head, while also continuing with Josh Inglis in the middle order.
Is this the end of Khawaja's Test career?
Khawaja has averaged just around 30 in the last two years in Test cricket and does not have age on his side. He will turn 39 on December 18, the second day of the Adelaide Test. Being dropped at this stage of his career could well turn out to be a final blow, but Cummins says the door still isn't closed on the southpaw.
"Yeah, potentially. I think the selectors have been quite adamant [that] we're picking a side each week, it doesn't necessarily mean it's got to be exactly the same team as the previous week. We do that with the bowlers this week.
"Obviously, Nathan Lyon's coming back in. One of Uzzie's (Khawaja) great strengths [is] he's scored runs at the top, he's scored runs in the middle. If we didn't think he'd be good enough to come straight in, then he wouldn't be here in the squad. So, absolutely, I can see a path back at some point, if needed."
England have also announced their playing XI for the Adelaide Test, replacing Gus Atkinson with Josh Tongue.
Playing XIs for third Ashes 2025-26 Test
Australia
Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
England
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.
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