BRISBANE: Australia will again be without captain Pat Cummins for the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, with the fast bowler yet to fully complete the return-to-play programme required after a back injury.
Cummins, 32, has not played since July and also missed Australia’s dramatic victory over England in the Perth opener. Although he bowled in the nets in both Perth and Sydney and was initially expected to return for the day-night Test starting Thursday, selectors have opted for continuity — naming an unchanged 14-man squad led by stand-in captain Steve Smith.
Josh Hazlewood remains sidelined with a hamstring strain, leaving Australia to consider fielding the same attack that delivered in Perth. Left-armer Mitchell Starc, who claimed 10 wickets and was player of the match, is again set to spearhead the attack alongside Scott Boland, debutant Brendan Doggett, all-rounder Cameron Green, and off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon, struck on the hand while batting in Perth, endured a difficult first Test. Should Australia opt to go without a specialist spinner in Brisbane, his spot could go to seamer Michael Neser or all-rounder Beau Webster.
Usman Khawaja retains his place despite fitness concerns that prevented him from opening in either innings in Perth. Travis Head, promoted to the top order during the match, responded with one of the great Ashes hundreds. If Khawaja is dropped on his home ground, Josh Inglis — fresh from a century for a Cricket Australia XI against England Lions — is the leading contender to step in.
Cummins will join the squad in Brisbane on Sunday as he builds towards a possible return for the third Test in Adelaide on 17 December.
Australia have not lost an Ashes Test in Brisbane since 1986 and remain dominant in day-night fixtures, winning 13 of 14 pink-ball matches and all three Ashes day-nighters.
England, meanwhile, have scheduled two additional training sessions after opting not to send any of their Perth Test XI to the England Lions’ pink-ball match in Canberra. Captain Ben Stokes is expected to address the media on Saturday at Allan Border Field.
