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 for the third Test at the Adelaide Oval.
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.
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. But 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."
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."