Pat Cummins included in squad for Adelaide Test

Australia captain Pat Cummins has returned to the Test squad for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide from December 17. The inclusion of Cummins is the only addition to the group as Cricket Australia have named a 15-man squad.

Cummins missed the opening two Tests of the Ashes because of a lumbar back stress injury, and he hasn't played competitive cricket since the third Test against West Indies in Sabina Park in July this year.

Australia Squad for Third Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster

The Australian captain was close to being picked for the Gabba Test last week after his recovery from his lower back injury proceeded better than expected. Instead, Cummins bowled multiple spells under match simulations to be as prepared as possible for the third Test.

"He was well ahead of where we thought he'd be at and it did create a real live conversation for Brisbane," head coach Andrew McDonald said. "With that in mind, us seeing him further advanced, we feel he'll be really well placed for the challenges of Adelaide…We feel as though the simulation in the nets has got him skill ready. His body's ready to go. Barring anything else happening in the next week, I'd be expecting Pat to be tossing the coin and putting the blazer on."

Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja has also retained his place in the squad despite not featuring prominently at Perth and missing the Gabba Test altogether due to his back injury.

McDonald said that he got along well in the nets in Brisbane and was expected to be fully match fit ahead of next week's Test. "Uz' (Khawaja) should be fit and available," he said. "The assumption is that (Khawaja) can only open as well. He does have flexibility. We like to think that all our batters have the flexibility to be able to perform anywhere in that order."

Australia will have some tough selection calls to make with Nathan Lyon heading for a return in Adelaide along with Cummins which could see two of Scott Boland, Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett miss out while the case of Khawaja presents some headaches for the batting lineup.

"The gap between one and two (Perth and Brisbane Tests), and two and three (Brisbane and Adelaide Tests) was something we thought we could manage, so it will more than likely be the best balanced and available attack for Adelaide," McDonald said.

"So we wouldn't be thinking that someone would need to rest there, it's probably more so in Test matches four and five (Melbourne and Sydney)," McDonald added.

Australia currently have a 2-0 lead in the Ashes with three Tests to play and would look to retain the urn next week at the Adelaide Oval.