Will Pat Cummins be available for 3rd Ashes Test?
What's the story
Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins is all set to make his comeback in the third Test of the Ashes 2025-26 at Adelaide Oval. However, there is bad news for the Australian camp as well. Veteran pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the entire series due to an Achilles injury. He will now shift his focus toward next year's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Injury updates
Hazlewood's injury and Cummins's preparation
Hazlewood's new injury is a totally separate one, located lower in the calf to Achilles region. "Unfortunately, Josh won't be a part of the Ashes," head coach Andrew McDonald said. "Really, really flat for him. A couple of setbacks that we didn't see coming." Meanwhile, Cummins will return without any match practice as he hasn't played competitive cricket since July 2025 against West Indies in a pink-ball Test.
Comeback strategy
Cummins's preparation for return
Despite not having played any matches, Cummins has been preparing for his return. "There won't be any match opportunities for Pat, and this is something we've done with Pat before," McDonald said. He added that they have put time and effort into rebuilding Cummins's body. Prior to the third Test, he simulated what a match would look like with multiple spells at Allan Border Field while others were at Gabba.
Team dynamics
Khawaja's potential return and team strategy
Usman Khawaja, Australia's veteran opener, has recovered from back spasms and is available for selection in the third Test. He could return as a middle-order batter, with Josh Inglis possibly making way. McDonald hinted at this change by saying, "The assumption is that Uzzie can only open as well. So I think that he does have the flexibility."