Australia’s veteran opening batter, Usman Khawaja, continues to warm the benches as he has been left out of the third Ashes 2025/26 Test at Adelaide Oval, raising the prospect of whether he has played the final match for the Australian side, with the management deciding to go with Jake Weatherald and Travis Head as the opening pair. As expected, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon return to the eleven.

Khawaja didn’t feature in the second Ashes 2025/26 Test in Brisbane during the day-night contest as he didn’t recover from the back spasms. But this week, he was out despite being 100% fit. The selectors have opted to retain Josh Inglis in the middle order.

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“I think the big thing that's shifted on us is probably Trav opening after that first Test and how good that has looked with the Weathers, so we're pretty happy with that batting line-up. So far it's looked like they [Head and Weatherald] have been able to keep the scoreboard ticking over,” Cummins expressed in the pre-match press conference.

Australia bring Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon for Ashes 2025/26 3rd Test

Steve Smith, who led the side in the first couple of clashes in Perth and Brisbane, missed Monday’s net session due to illness before returning on the eve of the contest.

“I think you've seen people like Marnus [Labuschagne] and Steve [Smith] walk in after that as well and really get on the back of that and start their innings well. I don't know if it's scrambled the opposition, but it's certainly kind of got that momentum, kept that scoreboard ticking over and started our innings brilliantly.” Cummins added.

“Obviously, Nathan Lyon's coming back in. One of Uzzie's great strengths is that he's scored runs at the top, and he's scored runs in the middle. If we didn't think he'd be good enough to come straight in, then he wouldn't be here in the squad. So, absolutely, I can see a path back at some point, if needed.” The New South Wales pacer addressed.

Australia’s playing XI for 3rd Ashes 2025/26 Test in Adelaide

Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk..), Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.