Australia’s Test Match cricket team preparing for this important third Ashes test against traditional rivals England on December 17 in Adelaide. Captain Pat Cummins returns to the group following a hiatus since July. Nathan Lyon would make his return after missing the Brisbane Test.
Australia’s dominant recent record in the Ashes series means a serious lack of motivation on this front. They have prevailed in the past three editions being hosted in Australia. The team has endured such deep personal trials themselves in early 2023. They wasted a 2-0 advantage to England that resulted in a tied series at 2-2. As the series is currently shaped, Australia requires just a draw in Adelaide to keep the Ashes crown. A win, though, would guarantee the series victory outright.
Cummins’ return is expected to add firepower to what’s already considered Australia’s strongest unhittable top three. After keeping warm with the Southern Kings and training with the team over the first two Tests, he sounded pleased with how things have developed.
“The way we’ve started the series has been good,” – Alex Carey
Significantly, Carey recognized that as well as Australia is currently doing, they aren’t counting any chickens before they hatch.
“To come to Adelaide 2-0 is a good position to be in, but we understand the series is definitely not over,” – Alex Carey
Just days before the Test, debate over which players should be in each team has ramped up. Usman Khawaja and Josh Inglis are vying for the last spot in the middle order. At the other end of the scale, meanwhile, Jhye Richardson will link with the squad in Adelaide continuing his comeback from a complicated shoulder injury.
Australia will be without fast bowler Josh Hazlewood for the remainder of the series. None of this will matter if he is sidelined with hamstring and Achilles injuries. That’s a big absence that puts pressure on the entire bowling lineup. They are headed towards a mighty battle against an England team clearly hungry to end their own 17-Test winless run on Australian soil.
In Ashes history, England has never been able to recover to win the Ashes after being down 2-0. There’s no question that the next match will be a true measure of each sides’ toughness and flexibility in light of what’s on the line.
With the series now tied 1-1, Australia is intent on keeping their nose in front without resting on their laurels.
“You can get into trouble if you start looking at the end of the series in Sydney already,” – Alex Carey
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