Cummins and Lyon back in the side as Khawaja sits out as Australia name their playing 11 for the Adelaide Test.
Usman Khawaja may have played his last game for Australia after being left out of the third Test in Adelaide. Australia’s selectors support the Jake Weatherald-Travis Head pairing’s upbeat approach.
As anticipated, Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett are replaced by skipper Pat Cummins and offspinner Nathan Lyon.
Due to his back spasms from Perth, which kept him from opening in either innings, Khawaja was unable to play in the second Test in Brisbane.
Khawaja stated earlier this week that he was eager to keep his position and that he was fully fit. The selectors decided to keep Josh Inglis, with Weatherald and Head continuing their opening partnership, despite the possibility that he might take on a middle-order position.
Selectors saw the value in what they had done to the England attack, and they combined for 77 in the first innings at the Gabba after coming together in the second innings in Perth to contribute 75 in the run chase.
“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 ahead of his first Test of the series after a back injury. “It didn’t feel like it needed to change in the middle order.
“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.
“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.”
Asked whether there was a road back, Cummins said: “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.
“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.”