Australian captain Pat Cummins named for third Ashes Test
Australia will welcome back captain Pat Cummins as they look to seal the Ashes in Adelaide, with the fast bowler named to return for the third Test after recovering from a lower-back injury.
He is the only change to the squad that claimed a 2-0 series lead at the Gabba, as opening batsman Usman Khawaja continues to push for his own comeback from a back complaint.
“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.”
Selectors came close to fast-tracking Cummins for Brisbane after his rehabilitation progressed ahead of schedule, but instead he completed intensive match-simulation sessions in Brisbane to ensure he is fully ready to lead again.
Coach Andrew McDonald said Cummins is now “skill ready” and expects him to take charge at the toss in Adelaide, his first appearance since July.
Cricket betting sites have Australia strong favourites as they target the urn on home soil, priced at 1.40 to win the Test. England are 3.50 outsiders, with the draw available at 11.50.
England will need a minor miracle to reclaim the famous Ashes urn, with Australia the current holders, and Ben Stokes team needing to win the remaining three Tests.
Both Australia and England have suffered injury blows to key pacemen, with Josh Hazlewood, who did not play a Test; and the injury prone Mark Wood set to to miss the series.
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.
