Cricket
6 hours ago
"Not the time to disrupt": No Khawaja as Cummins confirms Adelaide XI
By SEN
Returning captain Pat Cummins has named Australia's starting XI for Adelaide, making two changes ahead of the third Ashes Test and conceding it is "not the right timer to disrupt" the batting order as Usman Khawaja sits out.
Nathan Lyon returns to the side following his omission at the Gabba, with Australia opting against the all-pace attack utilised in their second Test triumph. Michael Neser has been withdrawn as a result.
Making way for the returning skipper is paceman Brendan Doggett, having taken seven wickets across his first two Tests for the side.
Khawaja will not play with Cummins insisting that the batting order as it stands is in good nick with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to open again.
“The batting order has looked really good to us,” Cummins told SEN Cricket.
“It didn’t feel like we needed to change too much. Trav has been fantastic up the top in this first two games so we felt like we wanted to keep it the same as what we ran with in Brisbane.”
With Khawaja not recalled does Cummins see it as Head’s position at the top of the order?
“At the moment we do. We never forecast too far ahead, but at the moment it looks like a really good match-up to this opposition,” he replied.
“He’s running hot and batting really well with Jakey (Weatherald) up there, so it doesn’t feel it’s the right time to disrupt that.”
What does the future hold for veteran Khawaja? Can he still play a part in the Test team?
“Yeah, he’s still in the squad. We feel the order is functioning really well at the moment so we’ll back those guys in,” said Cummins.
“Uzzie can bat anywhere, he’s scored runs in the middle and he’s scored runs at the top, so if anything moves on us I’m sure he’ll be straight back in there.”
Cummins said at his press conference earlier: "The big thing that has shifted is Trav opening and how good that has looked with Weathers.
"We're happy with that line up and it didn't need to change. Trav is a great team man and never wants to step on any toes.
"We've gone through a few openers over the years and he has always offered. At Perth was the first time I really thought, he wants this opportunity.
"It makes sense for now. He will do this week and each game we have a look at what the game needs. We have plenty of flexibility in the squad.
"I always joke that I will tell the guys who is in, selectors tell the guys that are out.
"It's not just Uzzie, Beau Webster has also missed out. There is a disappointed group of players but they have all been brilliant."
Asked about his own fitness, Cummins said: "I've been out for 16 weeks and I've been bowling 100% for a while. This week it's go and play like any other Test match.
"Back is holding up really well so here we are. The medical staff are the leading experts, I have complete trust in them.
"We knew we had to tread lightly. I feel like I've been really well managed and things have played out well."
Cummins also confirmed that both sides will wear black armbands throughout the Test to honour the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
"Like most other Aussies, I'm horrified," he said. "We are watching in disbelief. We take our kids there all the time and it hits home very hard.
"I really feel for the Bondi and Jewish community. It's been pretty powerful scenes. We will wear armbands throughout the Test and pay tribute to the victims."
The third Test in Adelaide kicks off on Wednesday and SEN Cricket will be there to call every ball LIVE.
Australia's XI for the third Test
- Travis Head
- Jake Weatherald
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Cameron Green
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Josh Inglis
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon
- Scott Boland
