Australia captain Pat Cummins and veteran Nathan Lyon were picked to return for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide on Wednesday, while fit-again opener Usman Khawaja was left out.
Khawaja, 38, was out for the second Test match in Brisbane due to an injury after experiencing back spasms and failing to open in the first Test victory against England in Perth. Although he has now recovered, the veteran’s international future is uncertain because selectors chose to keep Travis Head and Jake Weatherald at the top of the lineup.
As anticipated, Cummins leads the pace attack alongside the excellent Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland after missing the first two Tests due to a back injury. After being benched in favor of an all-pace approach at the Gabba, veteran spin king Lyon is also back. Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett step aside.
Meanwhile, following the Bondi Beach shooting incidents, officials indicated that there will be an increased security presence at the Adelaide Oval, including police with rifles, and flags will be flying at half-mast.
Although there was no information indicating an increased threat level, South Australia state Premier Peter Malinauskas stated that further precautions would be taken for the Ashes match, which begins on Wednesday.
“Given the events that have occurred in Sydney, there will be additional protocols put in place at Adelaide Oval,” he said late Monday.
“This is done only as a precautionary measure, but it is appropriate that we are in an increasing sense of alertness just at the moment.”
In a joint statement honoring the victims of Bondi Beach, Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board expressed their “horrified” feelings.
“All of our thoughts are with the victims, their friends and families, the Jewish community and the people of Australia at this deeply distressing time,” they said. “Our condolences go out to all those affected.”
Before the Test, there will be a moment of silence, and both teams’ players will wear black armbands.
Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
