Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, is likely to miss the second Ashes Test as the home team sticks with an unchanged 14-man squad for the upcoming day-night match in Brisbane.
Cummins was absent from the recent two-day victory at Perth Stadium due to a persistent back issue. Despite showing progress in training sessions before the match, he was left out of the squad for the Gabba Test.
Although Cummins participated in additional fitness activities and bowled to stand-in captain Steve Smith in a practice session, he was not included in the final squad announcement by Cricket Australia.
No specific reason was provided for Cummins’ exclusion, with the official statement only mentioning that he would continue his preparations in Brisbane.
While there is a slight chance of Cummins being added to the squad later, his absence remains a significant advantage for England despite Australia’s success in the first Test.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc, who excelled in the previous match with a ten-wicket haul, will lead the bowling attack. Usman Khawaja, who struggled with back issues in the first Test, is retained in the squad along with other key players like Travis Head and Josh Inglis.
The Australia squad for the second Ashes Test includes Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster.
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