Overview
- Coach Andrew McDonald said Cummins is expected to be fit to captain, citing match-simulation workloads and declaring he should be tossing the coin barring any late setback.
- Pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the rest of the series with hamstring and Achilles issues, with his recovery now geared toward the T20 World Cup.
- Selectors are poised to restore a three-seamers-plus-spinner balance with Nathan Lyon likely to return, which would place Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett at risk despite Neser’s 5-42 in Brisbane.
- Australia lead 2-0 after two eight-wicket wins and require only a draw from the December 17 Adelaide Test to retain the Ashes.
- Usman Khawaja remains in the 15 despite a back concern, with his role for Adelaide undecided as Travis Head and Jake Weatherald impressed as a makeshift opening pair.