Pat Cummins Declares He Is Ready to Return For the Third Ashes Test in Adelaide

Australian Captain Pat Cummins has expressed strong confidence in making a comeback for the third Ashes Test against England at the Adelaide Oval, starting December 16, 2025, after sitting out the opening two matches due to a persistent back injury. The 32-year-old fast bowler, who has been Australia's pace spearhead since taking over the captaincy in late 2022, revealed during an interview with Fox Cricket on Day 3 of the ongoing Brisbane Test that his body feels "great" following intensive net sessions. "First of all, yeah, I should be right for Adelaide. I'll have one more bowl tomorrow, and then we'll go to Adelaide and have another bowl there. Barring any hiccups, I'll be good to go," Cummins stated, underscoring his readiness to reclaim his pivotal role in the five-match series currently led 1-0 by the hosts.

Cummins' absence has been a significant blow, with stand-in captain Steve Smith stepping up admirably—Australia clinched a commanding eight-wicket victory in the series opener in Perth on November 24, propelled by Travis Head's blistering 123 off 83 balls in a chase of 205. The Brisbane day-night pink-ball Test, which began on December 4, has seen Scott Boland step in effectively as the third seamer alongside Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, but the return of their leader will bolster an already formidable attack. Fellow quick Josh Hazlewood remains sidelined with his own injury woes, potentially paving the way for Cummins to displace Brendan Doggett or Michael Neser in the XI. At Adelaide, where Cummins boasts an impressive career average of 21.19 with 309 Test wickets overall, conditions typically favour disciplined seam bowling, aligning perfectly with his skill set.

The decision to hold Cummins back from Brisbane, despite being "relatively close" to selection, stemmed from prudent risk management around his lumbar bone stress injury, which first flared up during the 2024-25 India tour. He admitted the team explored workload scenarios, such as capping him at 20-25 overs with all-rounder Cameron Green providing extra support, but ultimately deemed it "a little bit too cute" and unfair to the bowling unit. "The big question mark when coming back from a bone injury is... you're going to be expected to bowl two days in a row, maybe three... I haven't done back-to-back bowls yet," Cummins explained, highlighting the gap between training and match intensity. This cautious approach reflects Australia's depth in pace resources, honed through a transitional phase post-James Pattinson and Peter Siddle retirements, ensuring no rushed returns jeopardise the series.

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Cummins' revelation comes amid a tightly contested Ashes, revived in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy era with England's aggressive "Bazball" under Ben Stokes contrasting Australia's methodical dominance. The Perth win marked Australia's ninth straight home Test victory against England, but Brisbane has been rain-interrupted, leaving the result hanging as of December 6. His return in Adelaide—a venue with a storied history of Ashes drama, including Shane Warne's 1993 "Ball of the Century"—could prove decisive, especially as England eyes a counterpunch after a morale-boosting draw in the 2023 series. Teammates like Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja have shouldered the batting load, but Cummins' dual role as captain and enforcer brings tactical edge and psychological heft.

As preparations intensify, Cummins plans a final net session in Brisbane on Sunday before heading south, where he'll undergo a full-load bowl to seal his fitness. Australia's medical staff, led by Dr Nick Saw, has monitored his progress closely since November, incorporating tailored rehab that included pink-ball simulations. This injury layoff marks only the second time Cummins has missed tests as skipper, the first being a quad strain in 2023, and his timely recovery aligns with the team's strategy to peak for the back-to-end series deciders in Melbourne and Sydney.

With the Ashes embodying cricket's oldest rivalry—dating back to 1882—and broadcast to millions globally, Cummins' "good to go" assurance injects momentum into Australia's campaign. Fans and pundits alike await his first spell in Adelaide, where the paceman's ability to extract bounce and seam movement could tilt the urn's fate. As the series unfolds, his leadership will be key in navigating not just physical battles but the mental chess against Stokes' innovative side, ensuring the baggy green's storied legacy endures.

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