Australia captain Pat Cummins returns for the 15-member squad in the third Ashes 2025/26 Test at Adelaide Oval, which begins on December 17, as it remains the only addition to the group, as Cricket Australia has named. Cummins missed the first couple of games in Perth and Brisbane when Steve Smith was appointed the stand-in captain.

Pat Cummins hasn’t played any competitive cricket with a lumbar back stress injury since the third test of the three-match series against the West Indies at Sabina Park in Jamaica this year. He was picked for the second day-night Brisbane Test but couldn’t complete his full recovery from the lower back injury. He had multiple spells under match stimulations to be as prepared for the third encounter.

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“He was well ahead of where we thought he'd be at, and it did create a real live conversation for Brisbane. With that in mind, seeing him further advanced, we feel he'll be really well placed for the challenges of Adelaide. We feel as though the simulation in the nets has him skill-ready. His body's ready to go.” Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, expressed.

Pat Cummins returns as Australia name 15-member squad for 3rd Ashes 2025/26 Test in Adelaide

Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja, who missed the previous contest due to his back injury, has retained his place in the squad. McDonald reckoned that Khawaja got along well in the nets in Brisbane and was expected to be fully match fit ahead of next week’s fixture.

“Uz' (Khawaja) should be fit and available. The assumption is that Khawaja can only open as well. He does have flexibility. We like to think that all our batters have the flexibility to be able to perform anywhere in that order. The gap between one and two (Perth and Brisbane Tests) and two and three (Brisbane and Adelaide Tests) was something we thought we could manage.” McDonald added.

Australia currently has a 2-0 lead in the Ashes with three tests to play and would look to retain the urn at Adelaide Oval. Post that game, he action will move to Melbourne and Sydney.

Australia’s 15-member squad for 3rd Ashes 2025/26 Test in Adelaide

Pat Cummins (captain), 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who is the “star player” making a return to the squad for the 3rd Ashes Test?

A: The “star player” is Pat Cummins, who has been included in the 15-member squad for the third Test starting December 17 at Adelaide Oval.

Q2. Why was Pat Cummins absent from the first two tests of the series?

A: Cummins had a lumbar back stress injury and missed the first two tests (in Perth and Brisbane) while recovering.

Q3. Is Cummins the only change in the squad compared to the previous Test?

A: Yes. He is the only addition; the rest of the squad remains unchanged.

Q4. Has Usman Khawaja been included despite his recent back-injury struggles?

A: Yes, Khawaja retains his place in the squad. The team management believes he’s fit, though his role (opening or middle-order) depends on the match strategy.

Q5. What does this squad selection mean for the Ashes series overall?

A: With Cummins returning and the squad largely stable, Australia aims to consolidate their 2–0 lead and clinch the series at Adelaide Oval.