Australia have locked in their playing XI for the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide.
Skipper Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon return to the XI for the crucial third Test at Adelaide Oval, with all-rounder Michael Neser and pacer Brendan Doggett the players to make way.
It means experienced opener Usman Khawaja remains on the outer as he plots a way back into the XI following a back concern, while back-up batter Josh Inglis retains his place in the side and will bat at No.7.
Cummins said Khawaja was disappointed not to regain his place in the Australian side despite the 2-0 series advantage, but credited the way he handled the news.
“He’s a real team man. He’ll do whatever the team needs,” Cummins said of Khawaja in Adelaide on Tuesday.
“And it’s not only Uzzie, you’ve got Beau Webster, who’s missed out on these three Tests. Neser is coming off a five-fa and Doggy (Doggett) played in the first two Tests and is doing really well.
“So there’s a disappointed group of players.
“But they’ve all been fantastic around the group. We need a squad to win an Ashes series and they’ve all been brilliant.”
For Cummins the match will mark his first Test appearance since he featured against the West Indies in the middle of the year, with the right-armer revealing he was ready to return and won’t be restricted by the amount of overs he can bowl.
“Yeah, I am good to go,” Cummins said.
“I’ve been bowling at 100 percent for a while now. 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.”
