England finally caught a break in their push to keep the Ashes alive.
Word coming out of the Australian camp is that Pat Cummins, their captain and easily their most dangerous bowler, isn’t expected to make Thursday’s second Test at the Gabba.
His back still hasn’t settled, and the recovery that Australia hoped for simply hasn’t arrived in time.
Hopes Raised, Then Quietly Shelved
Cummins had already watched the first Test from the sidelines in Perth, where Australia needed less than two days to wrap up an eight-wicket win.
Even so, his return for the day/night match in Brisbane seemed possible when he trained with the pink ball earlier in the week.
The medical staff were optimistic. But unless something dramatic happens overnight, he’ll be sitting out again—joining Josh Hazlewood, who’s nursing his own injury.
Australia Stick With Their 14, But Decisions Remain
With two frontline quicks unavailable, Australia have resisted the temptation to shuffle the squad. They’ve named the same 14 players that travelled to Perth.
That still leaves them with a selection puzzle or two—starting with whether Usman Khawaja resumes his usual job at the top of the order.
His back spasms during the first Test forced him down to No. 4, and they’ll only push him back up if he’s moving freely.
A Bench Option Knocking on the Door
Josh Inglis is once again listed as the backup batter, but that title might soon be underselling him.
A century in a warm-up game against an England XI has put him back in the frame, and the Australian coaches know they have a fully charged, match-ready option if the top order needs reshaping.
Cummins’ Back Problem Lingers
It’s worth remembering that Cummins hasn’t actually bowled in a competitive match since July, when Australia wrapped up a clean sweep against the West Indies.
That’s when the first signs of discomfort appeared, and it’s been bugging him ever since.
Australia aren’t willing to gamble on their captain breaking down mid-series—and that caution could crack the door open for England.
Head’s Surprise Case for the Opening Slot
One Australian who used the chaos to his advantage was Travis Head.
Thrown into an unfamiliar role as an emergency opener in Perth, he answered with a blazing, match-deciding century in the second innings.
If Khawaja isn’t fully fit for Brisbane, it’s Head who looks best-placed to hold that spot again.
Should that happen, Australia could call on Inglis or Beau Webster to slide into the No. 5 role.
Pace Attack Stays Firm Despite Injuries
Even without Cummins and Hazlewood, Australia aren’t reshuffling their pace unit.
The trio that did the job in Perth—Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Brendan Doggett—will take the new ball again.
Starc provides the fire, Boland the relentless accuracy, and Doggett the extra zip that impressed the selectors earlier in the tour.
The Road to Brisbane
So, with England desperate for a foothold in the series, the absence of Australia’s captain could hardly come at a better time.
A weakened home attack, an unsettled batting order, and a couple of players auditioning for their spots—England won’t get many chances more inviting than this.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn