Australia team for Adelaide Ashes Test: CODE Sports experts reveal their XIs

Australia leads the Ashes 2-0, yet its selectors find themselves under pressure heading into the third Test in Adelaide. Our experts reveal the changes they think George Bailey should make.

With a 2-0 series lead, could Australia look to rest one of their big name fast bowlers in Adelaide?

That is one of the strong suggestions from Code Sports experts as they name their Australian XI for the third Test, with the likely addition of skipper Pat Cummins set to give the hosts some flexibility in their pace attack that simply did not exist at the start of the summer.

PREDICTED TEAMS: WHAT CHANGES WILL ENGLAND MAKE?

Nathan Lyon is set to return after carrying the drinks in Brisbane.

Daniel Cherny

Travis Head

Jake Weatherald

Marnus Labuschagne

Steve Smith

Cameron Green

Alex Carey

Beau Webster

Pat Cummins (c)

Mitchell Starc

Nathan Lyon

Scott Boland

IN: Beau Webster, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon

OUT: Josh Inglis, Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett

Australian selectors are facing some tricky decisions but from a position of significant strength. Pat Cummins is a lock after being given an extra fortnight to get right while Nathan Lyon will be needed on a potentially flat Adelaide wicket with a red ball. Resting Scott Boland is an option but I would leave out Michael Neser, as well as he played in Brisbane. There is an argument for Usman Khawaja batting in the middle order but I’d rather an extra bowling option in the form of Beau Webster to replace Josh Inglis.

Ben Horne wants Usman Khawaja recalled to bat at No. 5 in the third Test.

Ben Horne

Jake Weatherald

Travis Head

Marnus Labuschagne

Steve Smith

Usman Khawaja

Cameron Green

Alex Carey

Mitchell Starc

Pat Cummins (c)

Nathan Lyon

Scott Boland

IN: Usman Khawaja, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon

OUT: Josh Inglis, Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett

Pat Cummins is set to assume the captaincy again, and fair enough, but I wouldn’t be changing too much about what is happening on-field at the moment. Steve Smith has such a feel for this series, I’d be letting him dictate most of the field settings and bowling changes and free Cummins up to just be that presence as a leader in his comeback Test. Cummins will have enough to focus on with his bowling after coming back from an injury many thought would end his summer. I would give Usman Khawaja a crack in the middle order, because Travis Head has to stay as an opener.

Could this be the perfect time for Australia to rest one of its quicks?

Robert Craddock

Jake Weatherald

Travis Head

Marnus Labuschagne

Steve Smith (c)

Cameron Green

Alex Carey

Josh Iglis

Michael Neser

Pat Cummins

Mitchell Starc

Nathan Lyon

IN: Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon

OUT: Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett

Australia have been talking quietly for some weeks about leaving Scott Boland out to make sure he is cherry ripe for the tight turnaround before the MCG Test.

With Michael Neser in form and Pat Cummins returning it makes sense.

This won’t happen but given Cummins is returning from injury I would let Steve Smith continue as captain for this Test alone before letting Cummins take over in Melbourne. He is in the groove.

Could Beau Webster feature for the first time this series in Adelaide?

Tim Michell

Travis Head

Jake Weatherald

Marnus Labuschagne

Steve Smith

Cameron Green

Alex Carey

Beau Webster

Michael Neser

Pat Cummins (c)

Mitchell Starc

Nathan Lyon

IN: Beau Webster, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon

OUT: Josh Inglis, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett

Australia is in a luxurious position where it can rest one of Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, giving Michael Neser a fourth Test – and first with a red ball – after his maiden five-for at the Gabba. Then you can unleash a rampaging Scott Boland off an extended break at the MCG. Beau Webster in for Josh Inglis makes sense – with Pat Cummins returning Webster can provide bowling support. Brendan Doggett has done nothing wrong but George Bailey has already said Nathan Lyon will return.

Pat Cummins is set to lead Australia for the first time in Adelaide.

Lachlan McKirdy

Travis Head

Jake Weatherald

Marnus Labuschagne

Steve Smith

Cameron Green

Alex Carey

Josh Inglis

Mitchell Starc

Pat Cummins

Nathan Lyon

Scott Boland

IN: Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon

OUT: Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett

After taking a 2-0 lead in the series, there’s an argument that the Aussies shouldn’t be changing a winning formula. But when you’ve got over 850 Test wickets of experience at your disposal, it makes the hosts even more dangerous.

Pat Cummins should return to make his first appearance of the series and replace Brendan Doggett, who has been more than serviceable in his debut series. And although Michael Neser took a crucial five-wicket haul at the Gabba, he should be dropped from the side for Nathan Lyon, given the return of the red ball.

There will be debate over Usman Khawaja and whether he deserves another crack at the top of the order if he is fit. However, with Australia one win away from retaining the urn for yet another series, it’s not a change the selectors should be making after Head and Weatherald’s impressive combination so far this Ashes.

Originally published as Australia team for Adelaide Ashes Test: CODE Sports experts reveal their XIs