ADELAIDE, 9 December (H.S.): Australia captain Pat Cummins is all set to return to Test cricket after nearly five months, with his comeback expected in the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide. However, the hosts have suffered a major blow as fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out for the remainder of the series due to injury.

Head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed on Tuesday that Hazlewood will not feature in any matches this summer. The veteran pacer initially suffered a hamstring strain during a Sheffield Shield fixture last month, which was later compounded by an Achilles problem, putting an end to his hopes of participating in the marquee contest.

“It’s incredibly disappointing for Josh,” McDonald said. “There were a few setbacks that caught us off guard. We had expected him to play a key role in this series, but unfortunately, that won’t be possible now.”

Hazlewood will now focus on regaining full fitness in time for the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled for February 2026.In contrast, Cummins’ recovery has gone according to plan. The Australian skipper is widely expected to be named in the 15-member squad to be announced Wednesday and will resume leadership duties from Steve Smith.

Cummins last played in July during the West Indies tour, where he experienced back soreness, but his rehabilitation has progressed faster than anticipated.

McDonald revealed that Cummins bowled multiple spells in a simulated match environment at Allan Border Field ahead of the Brisbane Test, adding, “We’ve followed a similar preparation model for Pat in the past. His fitness and rhythm are both on point. Unless something unexpected happens over the next week, I fully expect Pat to walk out for the toss in Adelaide.”

The team also has some good news, with Mitchell Starc, who has been the leading wicket-taker in the series with 18 wickets in two Tests, declared fit despite minor discomfort during the Brisbane Test. McDonald confirmed that Starc remains “fully available” for the upcoming match.The Australian management, however, is exercising caution with its fast bowlers, considering the tight schedule between the remaining Tests in Adelaide (Dec 17–21), Melbourne, and Sydney, with only four-day gaps between fixtures.

One or two pacers—likely from Michael Neser, Scott Boland, and Brendan Doggett—may be rotated to manage workloads and keep the attack fresh for the rest of the series.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar