Pat Cummins Misses Second Ashes Test as Australia Squad Remains

Australia will be without captain Pat Cummins for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane as he continues recovering from a back injury. Cummins, who has not played since July, missed Australia’s impressive victory over England in the first Test at Perth. The 32-year-old bowled in the nets in Perth and Sydney but has not completed the required programme to return for Test match action.

Australia has announced the same 14-player squad for the day-night second Test at the Gabba, once again led by stand-in captain Steve Smith. Injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is also unavailable, while opener Usman Khawaja keeps his place. Cummins will join the team in Brisbane on Sunday and is expected to continue building fitness ahead of the potential third Test in Adelaide starting 17 December.

Australia’s bowling attack may remain unchanged for the pink-ball match. Mitchell Starc was outstanding in Perth, taking 10 wickets and earning the player-of-the-match award. He was supported by Scott Boland, debutant Brendan Doggett, all-rounder Cameron Green, and off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon faced difficulties in Perth after being hit while batting by England’s Mark Wood. If the team decides to rest Lyon, his replacement could be seamer Michael Neser or all-rounder Beau Webster.

Khawaja’s fitness is a concern after he struggled to open in both innings in Perth. If Khawaja is unable to play at his home ground, it could open the door for Josh Inglis, who recently scored a century for the Cricket Australia XI against the England Lions. Travis Head, promoted in the second innings in Perth, scored a remarkable hundred, helping Australia secure victory in the first Test.

Australia has an excellent record in Brisbane, having not lost an Ashes Test there since 1986. In 14 previous pink-ball Tests, they have lost only once and won all three day-night Ashes matches. This strong record gives the home side confidence going into the second Test, even without Cummins and Hazlewood.

England has chosen not to send any of their first-Test XI to a two-day pink-ball match in Canberra between the England Lions and the Prime Minister’s XI. Instead, the tourists have arranged two extra training sessions ahead of the second Test. Captain Ben Stokes and the squad will return to practice at Allan Border Field on Saturday as they prepare to challenge Australia at the Gabba.

With Cummins and Hazlewood missing, Australia will rely heavily on the remaining fast bowlers and their experienced batting lineup to maintain dominance in the Ashes. The second Test is a crucial opportunity for both teams to gain momentum in this prestigious series. Fans will watch closely as Australia looks to extend its unbeaten Ashes streak in Brisbane, while England seeks to recover and adapt to the pink-ball conditions.