Australia captain Steve Smith has raised the possibility of a surprise recall for Pat Cummins in the second Ashes Test, despite the fast bowler being left out of the initial squad. Cummins missed Australia’s dominant eight-wicket victory in the Perth opener while recovering from a back injury, and his omission for the next match suggested a cautious approach from selectors. However, Smith’s comments on Wednesday signaled that the door remains open.
Speaking to reporters in Brisbane, the stand-in skipper said Cummins looked in strong physical condition during training and might still force his way into contention. Smith noted that match intensity differs from practice, but he believes the pacer is “tracking nicely” and has enough awareness of his body to judge his readiness.
Selectors may be forced into a reshuffle if Cummins is cleared to play. Nathan Lyon’s place in the side is also uncertain, with the team potentially opting to retain the specialist spinner or drop one-Test pacer Brendan Doggett to accommodate Cummins. Team balance will be closely reviewed given the unique conditions of the upcoming day-night Test at the Gabba.
Australia will definitely be without Usman Khawaja, who has been ruled out due to a back injury. With the veteran sidelined, Travis Head is set to open the batting, building on his explosive performance in Perth, where he hammered 123 runs off 83 balls as a makeshift opener in the second innings. Smith praised Khawaja as a “quality player” but stopped short of guaranteeing his return to the Test XI once fit.
Local reports suggest wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis could fill Head’s previous middle-order position. The England-born 29-year-old is expected to feature in his fourth Test and first at home. Smith highlighted Inglis’ attacking style and his success against fast bowling, saying he would be confident in the player’s ability if selected. Inglis scored a century on debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year, building confidence around his potential contribution.
Despite the speculation, Cricket Australia confirmed that the final XI will not be named until the toss. That uncertainty reflects the tactical complexity of day-night cricket, where ball behavior can shift dramatically across sessions. The pink ball swings more during twilight and evening periods, creating a tough challenge for batters, but Smith suggested Brisbane’s harder surface may lessen that risk compared to Adelaide, the traditional venue for these matches.
Australia’s strong record in pink-ball Tests further boosts their confidence heading into Thursday’s match. They have won 12 of the 13 day-night Tests hosted at home, with the only defeat occurring at the Gabba earlier this year against West Indies. Conditions could favor batters if the ball softens during longer stints, something Smith said the team must account for.
Australia leads the five-match series 1–0 after wrapping up the first Test inside two days. A win in Brisbane would put England under significant pressure, especially given the volatility of day-night formats. As Australia weighs selection calls, the big question is whether Cummins will be risked, and whether Inglis will get the nod to strengthen the middle order.
The answers will come at the toss — but the early signals suggest Australia is considering all options in pursuit of a commanding Ashes lead.
