Australian captain Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja return to the team for Ashes

 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.

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

"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.

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.