Cricket

Ashes 2025-26: Australia announces strong 15-man squad for third Test; Hazlewood ruled out

Australia names a strong 15-man squad for the 3rd Ashes Test in Adelaide. Captain Pat Cummins returns from injury, but frontline pacer Josh Hazlewood is ruled out of the entire series with an Achilles issue. Nathan Lyon and Usman Khawaja are included.

author-image
Jack
New Update
OGU4X6TQQNNCVKR3OS36MSIKKA

On Wednesday, December 10, Cricket Australia announced a strong 15-man squad for the upcoming third Ashes 2025-26 Test of the five-match series, scheduled to start on Wednesday, December 7 at the Adelaide Oval.

Advertisment

Moving into the details of the squad, pacer Pat Cummins is all set to make his comeback into the playing XI after recovering from lumbar back stress. Notably, he has trained alongside the squad in both Perth and Brisbane.

"We feel as though he'll be as best prepared as can be. He was well ahead of where we thought he'd be at and it did create a real live conversation for (Cummins playing in) Brisbane,”  Australia coach Andrew McDonald told reporters on Tuesday.

"It was debated a lot leading into that Test match. With that in mind, us seeing him further advanced, we feel he'll be really well placed for the challenges of Adelaide albeit (it's still) a long way off,” he added.

"We feel as though the simulation in the nets has got him skill ready. His body's ready to go. Barring anything else happening in the next week, I'd be expecting Pat to be tossing the coin and putting the blazer on,” he noted.

On the other hand, Usman Khawaja is also making his comeback to the playing XI after recovering from a back injury. Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out for the rest of the Ashes after he hurt his Achilles tendon while rehabbing a hamstring strain suffered in the lead-up to the series. Also, Nathan Lyon is all set to make his return to the playing XI after missing out on the pink ball Test in Brisbane.

Australia squad for third Test vs England: Pat Cummins (c), 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.

Advertisment

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky247 India and download the Sky247 app to start betting today!