Pat Cummins returns to lead Australia in the third Ashes Test. The match takes place on December 17 in Adelaide. Steve Smith hands back the captaincy after doing a brilliant job.
Bad news though – Josh Hazlewood won’t return in this series. His leg problems got worse. Hamstring and Achilles injuries continued to trouble him. Coach Andrew McDonald feels sad about losing Hazlewood for the remaining matches.
Cummins Takes Back the Captain’s Role
Cummins missed the first two Tests but he’s fully fit now. His recovery went smoothly without any setbacks. The captain returns just when Australia needs him most.
Numbers tell an interesting story here. Cummins won 62.16% of his 37 Tests as captain. Smith won 59.52% from 42 Tests. Both leaders bring different strengths to the team.
Smith did amazing work while leading Australia. He went unbeaten in seven straight matches as the stand-in captain. His tactics helped Australia take a 2-0 lead against England. Players responded well to his leadership style.
Josh Hazlewood’s Injury Changes Team Plans
Hazlewood’s absence hurts Australia’s bowling attack badly. He couldn’t recover from those nagging leg issues. The team now prepares him for the 2026 T20 World Cup instead.
“Unfortunately, Josh won’t be a part of the Ashes,” the Australian coach said. “Really, really flat for him. A couple of setbacks that we didn’t see coming, and we thought he would play a huge part in the series.
“It’s a totally separate injury. It’s somewhere lower in the calf to Achilles region. His preparation will then shift towards the World Cup, which is an incredibly important campaign for us.”
Australia dominates this Ashes series completely. England has lost both Tests already. The Aussies look unstoppable right now.
Usman Khawaja might return too. His back injury healed up nicely. But selectors haven’t confirmed his spot yet. They’re watching pitch conditions first.
What’s Next for Australia
The Australian team uses flexible selection now. They pick players based on each ground’s conditions. Different matches need different strategies.
Australia will announce their 15-man squad soon. Cummins definitely gets added back. Hazlewood’s injury opens one bowling spot for someone new.
The third Test becomes crucial for both teams. England needs a win desperately. Australia wants to seal the series early. Adelaide Cricket Ground will witness some fierce competition.
