CRICKET: Khawaja overlooked as Australia captain Cummins, Lyon return for third Ashes test

ADELAIDE – In a significant shake-up for the third Ashes Test against England, Australia have welcomed back captain Pat Cummins and experienced spinner Nathan Lyon to the playing XI, but opener Usman Khawaja has been dropped, leaving his Test career at a critical juncture.

Cummins, returning from a back injury, missed the opening two Tests in Perth and Brisbane. Lyon, meanwhile, makes his comeback after being dropped for the second Test at the Gabba, which Australia won by eight wickets.

The duo will replace pace bowlers Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser in the Australian attack, joining Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.

Khawaja, who was absent for the Brisbane Test due to back spasms suffered in Perth, remained with the squad and was fit to return. However, Cummins confirmed that selectors had decided to stick with the successful opening partnership of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald, which had shown promise in the absence of the veteran opener.

“The big thing that’s shifted on us is probably Trav opening after that first Test and how good that’s looked with Weathers (Weatherald),” Cummins told reporters at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. “We were pretty happy with that batting lineup and it didn’t feel like it needed to change.”

At 39, Khawaja's place in the squad is uncertain, but Cummins emphasized that the selectors remain open to the possibility of his return. “One of Ussie’s great strengths is he’s scored runs at the top and in the middle. If we didn’t think he’d be good enough to come straight back in, he wouldn’t be here in the squad with us,” Cummins said. “Absolutely, I can see a path back at some point if needed.”

Khawaja, who has scored 43.56 runs per innings in his 85 Test matches, hasn’t made a fifty since his monumental 232 against Sri Lanka in Galle last January.

The Australian squad also confirmed Josh Inglis will continue in the middle order at number seven, following his promotion during the Brisbane Test.

With a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, Australia need only a draw in Adelaide to retain the Ashes. However, Cummins acknowledged the lessons learned from the 2023 Ashes in England, where Australia held a 2-0 advantage before the series ended in a 2-2 draw.

“We probably let a couple of those winning opportunities slide, particularly at Headingley and The Oval,” he said. “You just can’t let them go.” Australia XI:

Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland -Reporting by Ian Ransom in Adelaide; Editing by Stephen Coates/Reuters