Australian captain Pat Cummins, who missed the Perth Test due to injury, will be sidelined for another match.
Cummins put in a hard session at Sydney nets on Friday, bowling aggressively to Steve Smith throughout his run-up. Everything seemed promising, but the real picture behind the scenes became clear once the squad was announced — he is still not fully fit to play. Cummins will therefore miss the Brisbane Ashes Test as well.
Josh Hazlewood’s absence from Brisbane had already been confirmed earlier, meaning Australia will once again have to face a Test without two of their main pace weapons.
Despite missing these two key players, Australia won the Perth Test by eight wickets and took the series lead. The same squad from that match has been retained for the day-night Test in Brisbane. Players like Josh Inglis, Beau Webster, and Michael Neser, who were not in the Perth XI, remain in the squad.
Although not in the playing XI, Cummins will be with the team in Brisbane and is expected to bowl in his next session on Monday. This decision is primarily to avoid any risk, giving the 32-year-old extra time to recover before the third Test.
Cummins’ absence confirms a spot for Brendan Doggett in the XI. The pacer took five wickets across both innings on his Perth Test debut.
Usman Khawaja, who struggled to open in Perth due to a stiff back and batted in only one innings, remains in the squad, though his place in the XI is uncertain. Travis Head provided one of the best Ashes innings of all time when he opened in the second innings, and many former players and experts support Head continuing as an opener.
If Head opens, the middle order may include Josh Inglis, or all-rounder Beau Webster could be brought back, adding depth to both batting and pace options — crucial in a pink-ball Test.
Some experts, however, suggest keeping Head lower down the order to avoid early swing movement, which could allow Khawaja to retain his spot.
Another area of consideration is the spinner’s role. Nathan Lyon bowled only two overs on the pace-friendly Perth wicket, and his opportunity may again be limited in the pink-ball Test. He did not bowl in Australia’s last day-night Test in Jamaica in July, and in the previous season’s day-night Test against India, he bowled just one over. This increases the likelihood that Beau Webster or Michael Neser will play instead.
The Brisbane Test begins next Thursday. After finishing the Perth Test in just two days, the Australian squad will reunite in Brisbane on Sunday after a brief break.
