Daijiworld Media Network - Adelaide

Adelaide, Dec 14: Australian all-rounder Cameron Green has cautioned his teammates against complacency ahead of the third Test against England, reminding them of how the visitors staged a comeback in the previous Ashes series despite being 2-0 down.

Australia had dominated the 2023 Ashes in England with wins at Edgbaston and Lord’s, but England bounced back to win two of the final three Tests, with one ending in a draw. The series finished 2-2, allowing Pat Cummins’ side to retain the Ashes as holders.

“That’s a good reminder for our team to stay really level,” Green told reporters ahead of the third Test at the Adelaide Oval starting Wednesday. “You can sometimes look too far ahead, but that series is a reminder for us to stay as good as we can be and finish it off.”

Australia head into the match with momentum after convincing eight-wicket victories in Perth and Brisbane. England, meanwhile, remain winless in Australia since their 2010-11 tour and have faced criticism over their preparation and lack of fight.

The pressure on Ben Stokes’ side was evident on Saturday when a security guard had a confrontation with a cameraman as the team departed Brisbane for Adelaide. Green said he sympathised with England’s players. “You never like getting filmed, especially when you want to get away from it. It’s never a nice feeling,” he said.

Meanwhile, Australian opener Usman Khawaja said he has fully recovered from the back spasms that troubled him earlier in the series. The 38-year-old did not open in the first Test and missed the second, where Travis Head and Jake Weatherald impressed at the top.

“I’m feeling 100 per cent,” Khawaja said. “Obviously, I hope to play. I don’t really know.”

If selectors opt to retain Head and Weatherald as openers, Khawaja could slot into the middle order, potentially at the expense of Josh Inglis.