Australia skipper Pat Cummins confirmed the playing XI for the upcoming Ashes match against England in Adelaide. Addressing the press, he said that there would only be one change made in the team that played the first Test match in Brisbane.

Cummins announced that Jhye Richardson would replace the injured Josh Hazlewood in the playing squad.

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Doubts surrounded the inclusion of David Warner after he suffered bruised ribs in the previous match. Cummins, however, backed him to play through the pain at the Oval grounds in Adelaide.

Richardson beat Michael Naser to the playing team. Naser’s wait for an international Test debut continues. 

Richardson’s ongoing form in the domestic Sheffield Shield ensured his inclusion in the squad. He has bagged 23 wickets at 13.43 so far this season. 

Richardson’s only two Test performances were in 2019 and his performance was outstanding. The pacer took six wickets at 20.50 against Sri Lanka but since then a series of injuries has hindered his run in the team.

Speaking of Warner, Cummins said, “He’ll be right. He had a bat yesterday, batted with a bit of discomfort but knowing Davey, he’s not going to miss this one. Once adrenaline and everything kicks in, (he’ll be) a little bit sore but he’ll be fine.”

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Warner’s inclusion also means that the wait for Usman Khawaja to return to the Test squad will continue. He last played in the 2019 Ashes.

“It’s one thing batting in the nets but another thing when you walk out and it’s a packed crowd. I don’t think he (Warner) had any kind of painkillers or anything yesterday. He’s played close to 90 Tests, I’m sure a lot of them have been played in discomfort or with (niggles) going into the game. He’ll be fine tomorrow,” Cummins said.

The Australia playing XI for the Adelaide Test match has Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon and Jhye Richardson.