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Pat Cummins Poised for Ashes Comeback: Australia Captain Returns for Adelaide Test

Australian skipper Pat Cummins is all set to make his international comeback in the crucial third Ashes Test in Adelaide. He's been included in a 15-man squad after overcoming his back issues, which have kept him out since July. In a major blow for the hosts, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out for the remainder of the series with a fresh Achilles injury. The squad sees experienced players like Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon retained as Australia looks to extend its 2-0 series lead.

Key Points: Pat Cummins Returns for Adelaide Ashes Test in Australia Squad

  • Pat Cummins returns to lead Australia after recovering from a back injury
  • Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the entire Ashes series with an Achilles problem
  • Usman Khawaja retained in the squad as he battles for a spot in the playing XI
  • Spinner Nathan Lyon and all-rounder Beau Webster push for recalls in Adelaide
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Pat Cummins poised for comeback in Adelaide Ashes Test as Australia announce squad for third match

Australia captain Pat Cummins is set to return from injury for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide. Get the full squad update and injury news.

"His body's ready to go and barring anything else happening in the next week, I'd be expecting Pat to be tossing the coin and putting the blazer on. - Andrew McDonald"

Adelaide, December 10

Australia's skipper Pat Cummins is poised to make his comeback in the third Ashes Test against England, having been included in the 15-player squad for the Adelaide match o Wednesday.

Cummins is set to make his international comeback in the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide on December 17, having overcome his back injury issues. The 32-year-old hasn't played at the international level since the third Test against the West Indies in July.

Cummins is the only addition to the Australian group that took a 2-0 series lead at the Gabba. There were no real surprises in the Australia squad that was named on Wednesday, with experienced batter Usman Khawaja retained in the squad as he tries to earn his place back in the XI following his own injury issue.

All-rounder Beau Webster and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon are also included in the 15-member group after they missed out on selection in the second Test in Brisbane that Australia won by eight wickets, with the pair pushing hard for a recall alongside Cummins for the Adelaide contest.

McDonald provided an update on Tuesday regarding Cummins and Hazlewood, stating that the captain is fit and set to make his return.

"His body's ready to go and barring anything else happening in the next week, I'd be expecting Pat to be tossing the coin and putting the blazer on," McDonald said.

He also confirmed that Hazlewood is out for the remainder of the series after developing an Achilles problem on the back of his earlier hamstring injury.

"Unfortunately, Josh won't be a part of the Ashes. Really, really flat for him. A couple of setbacks that we didn't see coming, and we thought he would play a huge part in the series. It's a totally separate injury. It's somewhere lower in the calf to the Achilles region. His preparation will then shift towards the World Cup, which is an incredibly important campaign for us," McDonald added.

Australia squad (third Test only): 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.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Tough break for Hazlewood. Back-to-back injuries are a nightmare for any fast bowler. Hope he recovers fully for the World Cup. Australia's pace depth is being tested, but Cummins and Starc are still a formidable pair.
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Arjun K
Good to see Khawaja retained. He's a class act. But honestly, as an Indian cricket lover, I'm more interested in how this series affects the World Test Championship standings. Australia looking strong at home, as usual.
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Priya S
Respectfully, I think the article could have given a bit more context on the pitch at Adelaide. Is it a batting paradise or will it assist the bowlers? That context matters for Cummins' comeback. Otherwise, solid update.
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Vikram M
Nathan Lyon back in the squad is key for Adelaide. The pitch there can turn later. England's batting against spin hasn't been great. Australia might just wrap up the series here itself. 3-0 looks possible!
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David E
From a neutral perspective, this is fantastic for the spectacle. You want the best players on the field. Cummins vs. Root/Stokes is a marquee matchup. Hope it's a cracker of a Test match.

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