Australia will walk out at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday without Usman Khawaja, the veteran batter having failed to dislodge the in-form opening pair of Jake Weatherald and Travis Head. Josh Inglis retains his middle-order place, while Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon return, at the expense of Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett.
Khawaja, 39 next week, missed the second Test in Brisbane with back spasms but declared himself “100 per cent fit” on Monday. Selectors nevertheless stuck with the tempo Weatherald and Head have injected at the top, a combination that twice unsettled England’s attack in Perth and Brisbane.
“I think the big thing that’s shifted on us is probably Trav opening after that first Test and how good that has looked with the Weathers, so we’re pretty happy with that batting line-up,” Cummins said on the eve of his first appearance of the series after a back injury. “It didn’t feel like it needed to change in the middle order.”
The evidence is clear. Weatherald and Head added 75 in the successful Perth chase and 77 in the first innings at the Gabba, allowing Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to settle with the scoreboard already moving.
“So far it’s looked like they [Head and Weatherald] have been able to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Whatever has been thrown at them, they’ve had an answer to. It’s really set up the platform for our innings,” Cummins noted. “I think you’ve seen people like Marnus [Labuschagne] and Steve [Smith] walk in after that as well and really get on the back of that and start their innings well. I don’t know if it’s scrambled the opposition, but it’s certainly kind of got that momentum, kept that scoreboard ticking over and started our innings brilliantly.”
Since the 2023 Ashes Khawaja averages 31.84, with one century in 45 innings, statistics that made it easier—if still uncomfortable—for the panel to overlook him this week. Cummins, though, would not call the door closed.
“Yeah, potentially. I think the selectors have been quite adamant [that] we’re picking a side each week, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s got to be exactly the same team as the previous week. We do that with the bowlers this week,” he said. “Obviously, Nathan Lyon’s coming back in. One of Uzzie’s great strengths he’s scored 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 in the squad. So, absolutely, I can see a path back at some point, if needed.”
Australia’s 2-0 lead has come without Cummins until now and with Josh Hazlewood sidelined for the series. The captain credits the system’s depth.
“Incredible, I think it shows just great depth in the Aussie cricket system at the moment with fast bowlers,” he said. “When I said it’s almost worked out perfectly… we’re halfway through a series, I’ve come back on line, you’ve got Ness and Doggy who are resting from this week, but they’ve obviously got themselves into the series and are available for the last two games. You’ve seen Jhye Richardson out the back bowling.”
England, searching for answers after muted displays with the new ball, may find little solace in seeing Cummins and Lyon back. Lyon’s off-spin promises control on a traditionally responsive surface, while Cummins’ command of length instantly stiffens Australia’s pace attack.
For Khawaja, the immediate focus is grade and state cricket; the national side, for now, has moved on. But form, runs and fitness have forced selectors’ hands before, and as Cummins hinted, could do so again.
