Australia will once again be without captain Pat Cummins for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, as the fast bowler continues his recovery from a back injury. Cummins, who has not played since July, also missed the opening Test in Perth, where Australia secured a stunning victory over England.
The 32-year-old bowled in the nets in Perth and Sydney during the break between Tests and had been expected to return for the day-night match at the Gabba, starting Thursday. However, Australia have opted to retain the same 14-player squad, with Steve Smith continuing as stand-in captain.
The unchanged lineup also sees the absence of injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, while opener Usman Khawaja keeps his place in the team. Cummins has not yet completed the necessary preparation to be cleared for Test match action and will join the squad in Brisbane on Sunday as he builds toward a potential return in the series’ third Test in Adelaide, which begins December 17.
Hazlewood, sidelined with a hamstring injury for the first Test, has been bowling in nets in Sydney alongside Cummins, though there is no confirmed timeline for his comeback.
Australia Squad for Second Ashes Test – Brisbane: Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
Without Cummins and Hazlewood, Australia may field an unchanged bowling attack for the pink-ball Test. In Perth, Mitchell Starc led the charge with 10 wickets and earned Player of the Match honors, supported by Scott Boland, debutant Brendan Doggett, all-rounder Cameron Green, and off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon struggled with his batting in Perth after being struck by England’s Mark Wood. Should Australia decide to omit him in Brisbane, Michael Neser or all-rounder Beau Webster could step in.
Khawaja’s inclusion remains under evaluation, after being unable to open the batting in either innings in Perth. Travis Head’s promotion to number three in the second innings saw him score one of the finest Ashes hundreds, guiding Australia to victory. If Khawaja is left out at his home ground, Josh Inglis—who recently scored a century for a Cricket Australia XI against England Lions—could take his place.
Australia have not lost an Ashes Test at the Gabba since 1986, winning all three previous pink-ball Tests at the venue while losing just once in 14 day-night encounters.
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