Overview
- Australia confirmed Pat Cummins returns from a back issue to captain, with Nathan Lyon restored; Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser make way and Usman Khawaja is left out.
- Travis Head and Jake Weatherald stay as openers, Josh Inglis keeps the No. 7 spot, and Australia can retain the urn with a win or draw in Adelaide.
- England made a single change: seamer Josh Tongue replaces Gus Atkinson, while Will Jacks is preferred to specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir to lengthen the batting.
- Ben Stokes said the team held “raw” talks after going 2-0 down and urged players to “show a bit of dog,” citing the gritty Lord’s win over India as a template.
- Harry Brook acknowledged poor shot selection in the first two Tests and vowed to be more selective, while Steve Smith was ill early in the week but is expected to play.