Named: The Australian Lineup Hunting 3–0 Ashes Victory In Adelaide | The Sporting Base
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Named: The Australian lineup hunting 3–0 Ashes victory in Adelaide

December 16, 2025

Named: The Australian lineup hunting 3–0 Ashes victory in Adelaide

Australia has named the playing squad for the Adelaide Test on Wednesday, with Travis Head to stay at the top of the batting order and superstar bowlers Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon both back in the attack.

Cummins and Lyon both come back at a key time, with Australia able to clinch the urn at Adelaide Oval. Seamers Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett were the bowlers to make way, with Neser especially unlucky to find himself back on the pine after his five-wicket haul in Brisbane.

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Josh Inglis, meanwhile, has retained his place at number seven. Australia has long thought Inglis works well as a specialist batter, and he’ll retain his place as a strong base between in-form wicket keeper Alex Carey and the start of the bowlers.

The biggest change is that Cummins will retake the captaincy after Smith helmed the team in Perth and Adelaide. The regular Aussie skipper had been recovering from a bone stress injury for the last few months and could have returned in Brisbane. It was deemed better to save him for a few days though, leaving him fully fit now.

Here’s the full Australian squad:

  1. Travis Head
  2. Jake Weatherald
  3. Marnus Labuschagne
  4. Steve Smith
  5. Cameron Green
  6. Alex Carey (wk)
  7. Josh Inglis
  8. Pat Cummins (c)
  9. Mitchell Starc
  10. Nathan Lyon
  11. Scott Boland

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The highest profile out was Khawaja, who turns 39 on Thursday and was a major doubt to return. He’s not entirely out in the cold, though, with Cummins refusing to shut the door on the veteran. “The selectors have been quite adamant we’re picking a side each week,” said the skipper. “It doesn’t mean it’s got to be exactly the same team as the previous week.”

More cricket news

Setback: Achilles flare-up to deny Hazlewood from playing this Ashes

Skipper in: Cummins given green light to return in Adelaide

“One of Uzzie’s great strengths is he scores runs at the top. 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. So absolutely, I can see a path back at some point if needed.”

(Update: Khawaja was, in the end, needed to come straight in Wednesday after Smith fell ill.)


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