Australia have suffered a major setback ahead of the third Ashes Test against England, with star batter Steve Smith ruled out due to illness.
Smith had been struggling with his health in the lead-up to the Adelaide Oval clash and was officially withdrawn on the morning of the match. Veteran batter Usman Khawaja has been named as his replacement, slotting into Smith’s preferred No.4 batting position.
Australia captain Pat Cummins confirmed Smith’s absence after winning the toss and electing to bat first on a sunny Adelaide day. “He is feeling unwell and he has headed off home,” Cummins said. “But we are lucky to have someone like Uzzie to come in.”
The change means Travis Head will partner Jake Weatherald at the top of the order, while three other adjustments see Nathan Lyon and Khawaja return to the XI, replacing Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett, and Smith from the Brisbane lineup that secured an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the second Test.
England captain Ben Stokes suggested at the toss that he also would have chosen to bat first. The visitors made a single change, with Josh Tongue coming in as Gus Atkinson drops out.
Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue
Ashes 2025 Schedule:
• First Test: Perth Stadium, Nov 21-22 (Australia won by eight wickets)
• Second Test: Gabba, Dec 4-7 (Australia won by eight wickets)
• Third Test: Adelaide Oval, Dec 17-21
• Fourth Test: MCG, Dec 26-30
• Fifth Test: SCG, Jan 4-8
Australia will look to maintain their dominance in the series despite the loss of their key batter, while England aims to bounce back in the crucial Adelaide contest.