Usman Khawaja, the fit-again opener, will not play in the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, which begins on Wednesday. Instead, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins and seasoned Nathan Lyon will play in an effort to win the series. Khawaja, who turns 39 this month, was pulled out of the second Test match in Brisbane due to injury after experiencing back spasms and failing to open in the first Test victory against England in Perth. The 85-Test veteran’s international career is seriously questioned when selectors chose to continue with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald at the top of the order despite his subsequent recovery. When asked if Khawaja, who has been playing poorly, could make a comeback, Cummins said, “Yeah, possibly.”
The selectors, in my opinion, have been very insistent that we choose a team every week, which does not necessarily mean that it must be the same team as the week before.
“We do that with the bowlers. Naturally, Nathan Lyon is returning this week after missing last week.
“One of Uzzie’s (Khawaja) great strengths is he has scored runs at the top, he scored runs in the middle,” he stated.
“He wouldn’t be in the squad if we didn’t think he would be competent enough to start right away. Therefore, if necessary, I can definitely envision a way back at some point.
Cummins, who missed the first two Tests due to a back ailment, returns as anticipated and will spearhead the attack alongside the excellent Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.
Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett have been replaced by veteran spin king Lyon, who was benched in favor of an all-pace approach at the Gabba.
According to Cummins, he was ready to go and operating at full capacity.
“If I played in Brisbane, I would have probably been on limited overs, but this week it’s just go and play like any other Test match,” he stated.
He continued, “It’s been fantastic to watch,” regarding the show. “I believe every session has been enthralling, living up to the anticipation.
“I’ve really enjoyed it and am eager to get outside. Steve Smith has led well, the boys have been outstanding, and I feel like I’m starting to calm down and be content.
“Couldn’t have gone any better from our point of view.”
Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Scott Boland make up Australia’s starting eleven.
