Cummins and Lyon return; still no place for Khawaja

Usman Khawaja finds no place in the Playing XI for the Adelaide Test as Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon return to the XI for the third Ashes Test starting on Wednesday (December 17). They come in place of Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett. Australia have stuck with the opening combination of Jake Weatherald and Travis Head as the hosts aim to clinch the urn after taking a 2-0 lead in the first two Tests.

Cummins returns to competitive cricket for the first time after five months after suffering a lower back stress injury back in July during the 3-0 series win against West Indies.

Australia XI: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

Neser, who picked up a five-fer in the second innings at the Gabba last week, will count himself unlucky to miss out on the third Test while Doggett was Australia's joint second-highest wicket-taker after the first two Tests level with Scott Boland on seven scalps. But the duo have had to miss out with Cummins and Lyon returning to the squad who share 871 Test wickets between themselves.

On the batting front, Cummins remained non-committal on the surprise opening combination of Head and Weatherald. "At the moment it feels like it makes sense for now. That might change," Cummins said.

"Each game you have a look at what you think the next week needs, but it feels like with the current line-up, we've got plenty of flexibility in the squad.

"The big thing that shifted on us is probably Trav [Head] opening after that first test, and how good that's looked with 'Weathers' [Weatherald]. We were pretty happy with that batting line up, and it didn't feel like a need to change the middle order."

The resulting factor of the Head-Weatherald opening combination is that Khawaja cannot find a place in the side. Turning 39 in two days time, Khawaja's career seems murky. But, Cummins did not rule out a return for the veteran.

"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 in the squad. So absolutely I can see a path back at some point if needed."

Meanwhile, England have made one change to their Playing XI from Brisbane with Josh Tongue coming in for Gus Atkinson.