More bad news for England as Australia welcome star pacer for third Ashes Test
Published - 10 Dec 2025, 08:06 AM
Australia, on Wednesday (December 10), announced their squad for the upcoming third Ashes Test. The hosts have welcomed their captain Pat Cummins for the crucial Test against England in Adelaide.
The right-arm pacer is the only new addition to the squad that propelled the home side to a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Veteran opener Usman Khawaja has also retained his place in the 15-man squad and will be hoping to get a chance in the playing eleven for the upcoming match.
Cummins missed the first two Test as he was recovering from lumbar back stress. While he did not play in the first two Tests, he was with the squad and trained alongside his teammates in both Perth and Brisbane. In his absence, Steve Smith led Australia to win in the first two Tests.
"We feel as though he'll be as best prepared as can be," Australia coach Andrew McDonald said.
"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," he added.
Pat Cummins eyes impressive return:
Pat Cummins will be hoping to hit the ground running when he takes the field for the third Test. The Australia captain has not played any competitive cricket since the third Test against West Indies in Jamaica in July. It was during that Test when he first felt pain in his back.
Cummins is expected to replace Michael Neser in the playing eleven for the third Test. While Neser picked up 6 wickets in the second Test including a fifer in the second innings, he is likely to make way for the captain. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland are set to be the other two pacers in the lineup.
Australia eye series-clinching win:
Australia are on the verge of winning the Ashes and will be eager to wrap up the series by winning the third Test. They have completely outplayed England so far and will be the heavy favourites for the third Test as well. They won both the Tests by a similar margin of 8 wickets and will be looking to continue their winning run.
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
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