Post by : Rameen Ariff

Australia will once again be without captain Pat Cummins for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane as he continues his recovery from a back injury. Cummins, who has been sidelined since July, missed the first Test in Perth, where Australia stunned England with a remarkable victory.

The 32-year-old fast bowler had bowled in the nets in Perth and later in Sydney, raising hopes for his return during the day-night second Test at the Gabba, starting on Thursday. However, Australia announced an unchanged 14-player squad, with Steve Smith continuing as stand-in captain. Injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood also remains unavailable, while opener Usman Khawaja retains his place.

Cummins has not yet completed the required preparation to make a Test comeback and will join the squad in Brisbane on Sunday to continue his recovery. Missing the second Test gives him nearly three more weeks to prepare for a possible return in the third Test in Adelaide, scheduled to start on December 17. Hazlewood, 34, has been bowling in the nets in Sydney following a hamstring injury, but there is no confirmed timeline for his return to the team.

With Cummins and Hazlewood absent, Australia is likely to field the same attack that dominated England in Perth. Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc took ten wickets in the first Test and was named player of the match, supported by Scott Boland, debutant Brendan Doggett, all-rounder Cameron Green, and off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon had a challenging game in Perth after being hit while batting by England fast bowler Mark Wood. If Australia decides to leave Lyon out in Brisbane, either seamer Michael Neser or all-rounder Beau Webster could replace him.

Khawaja’s place in the squad is under review after he was unfit to open in either innings in Perth. Travis Head, promoted from number five, scored one of the greatest Ashes hundreds in the second innings to lead Australia to victory. If Khawaja is rested on his home ground, Josh Inglis, who recently scored a century for a Cricket Australia XI against England Lions, may get an opportunity.

Australia has a strong record in Brisbane, having not lost an Ashes Test at the Gabba since 1986. The team has won all three Ashes day-night Tests played at the venue and lost only once in 14 pink-ball Tests overall.

England, meanwhile, has opted not to field any members of their first-Test XI in a two-day pink-ball match between England Lions and the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, starting Saturday. The tourists have also scheduled two extra training sessions ahead of the second Test, returning to practice at Allan Border Field on Saturday. England captain Ben Stokes is expected to address the media before the match.

This build-up to the second Ashes Test highlights Australia’s depth and resilience despite injuries to key players, while England looks to regroup and prepare for a challenging day-night contest at the iconic Gabba.

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