Australia captain Pat Cummins has declared himself fit and ready to return for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, marking a major boost for the home side as they look to press their advantage against a struggling England.
“First of all, yeah, I should be right for Adelaide,” Cummins told Fox Sports, after missing the opening two Tests due to a back injury that sidelined him since mid-year.
Having sat out the wins in Perth and Brisbane, Cummins is confident he’ll be back to lead the bowling attack under the lights in Adelaide on December 17.
“I’ll have one more bowl tomorrow in the nets and then we’ll go to Adelaide and have a bowl there,” he said. “Barring any hiccups, I’ll be good to go. The body feels great.”
Selector caution delays return in Brisbane
While Cummins was close to a return for the second Test in Brisbane, the selectors opted not to rush him back, prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term risk.
“It felt a bit too acute and didn’t really feel fair on the other bowlers,” Cummins explained. “We thought it didn’t feel like the right Test match to take that risk, so kick it down the road for a week.”
With Cummins absent, Steve Smith has stepped in as captain, while Mitchell Starc has led the bowling attack with devastating effect—claiming 10 wickets in the series opener and another six in England’s first innings at the Gabba. Starc has been supported by Scott Boland, Michael Neser, and Brendan Doggett, who were brought in as part of the reshuffled pace lineup.
Uncertainty remains around Hazlewood’s availability
While Cummins’ return is confirmed, fellow pace veteran Josh Hazlewood remains in doubt. After suffering a hamstring tweak days before the Perth Test, Hazlewood returned to bowling but has since developed Achilles soreness, casting uncertainty over his availability for the remainder of the five-Test series.
Cricket Australia has described it as a “low-grade” issue, but with two Tests already missed and lingering concerns, the clock is ticking on Hazlewood’s involvement.
Australia’s dominant position
With Cummins set to return and the bowling unit already delivering strong performances, Australia are well placed to win the series. England, already under pressure, now face the daunting prospect of dealing with a fresh and fired-up Cummins at a venue where he boasts a formidable record.
Cummins has taken 309 wickets in 71 Tests and holds an impressive bowling average of 21.19 at the Adelaide Oval—numbers that underline his impact under the lights in South Australia.
The third Test begins on December 17, with Australia aiming to seal the Ashes before Christmas and England desperately seeking a lifeline.
