Usman Khawaja Omitted from Australia XI for Third Ashes Test in Adelaide
Usman Khawaja has been left out of the Australia XI for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, putting his Test future in doubt. The 39-year-old, who turns that age on the second day of the match, had only batted once in the series so far, scoring two runs in the Perth first innings.
In Khawaja's absence, Travis Head will open the batting alongside Jake Weatherald. Pat Cummins returns as captain for this Test, and Nathan Lyon comes back into the side after missing the Brisbane pink-ball Test. To accommodate these changes, Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser have been dropped.
Australia's playing XI for the Adelaide Test includes Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Scott Boland.
This third Ashes Test is part of the 2025-26 Ashes series taking place in Adelaide.
