Australian batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide.
Usman Khawaja replaces Smith, who captained Australia for the first two Tests.
The third Test, which England must win to have any chance of regaining the Ashes, starts at 11.30pm UK time.
“Steve’s been feeling a little bit unwell the last couple of days. He came and gave it a crack this morning but didn’t think he was going to be up for this one,” said returning Australia captain Pat Cummins, who won the toss and chose to bat first.
“So he’s headed off home but pretty lucky we’ve got someone like Usman who can step right in. He’s going to bat four.”
Smith led Australia to eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane in the absence of regular skipper Cummins. He hit the winning runs in Brisbane as Australia took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Veteran Khawaja, who turns 39 on Thursday, was originally left out despite declaring himself 100 per cent fit after missing the second Test with back spasms that he sustained in the opening game, raising the prospect that he may have played his final match for his country.
Khawaja has been unable to break up the opening partnership between Jake Weatherald and Travis Head, with that duo sharing 70-plus stands in both Perth and Brisbane.
More to follow…
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