Australia name unchanged squad for second Ashes Test with Pat Cummins still out | Axis 2025-26

The opportunity England squandered in Perth has presented itself again after Australia opted to play it safe with Pat Cummins and name an unchanged squad for next week’s second day-night Test at the Gabba.

Besides their match-defining collapse on the second afternoon, one of the most painful aspects of England’s eight-wicket defeat in the first Test was the fact that both Cummins and Josh Hazlewood – two long-standing members of their legendary fast bowling group – were missing.

But the situation remains unchanged as Ben Stokes and his tourists look to level the five-match series starting in Brisbane on December 4.

Hazlewood is still absent, while Cummins has been held back despite a recent return to training, which included bowling with the pink Kookaburra ball.

Cricket Australia did not provide details on the delay for Cummins other than saying the Australian Test captain will travel with the squad.

The 32-year-old is recovering from a lower back stress injury discovered after the 3-0 Test series win in the Caribbean in July.

Had Australia lost in Perth – a distinct possibility before England’s second innings imploded – the need for Cummins to return to the Gabba would have been greater. As it stands, Steve Smith will once again captain a side that comes within touching distance of retaining the urn with a second successive victory.

As unchanged as the 14-man squad is, the leadership group still has to make decisions regarding the final eleven.

Back spasms made Usman Khawaja something of a passenger in Perth, and with Travis Head making an appearance in Australia’s second innings to plunder a decisive century from 69 balls, calls are growing to make that promotion permanent.

If he were to continue at the top – a role he already fills in one-day international cricket – it would then open up a place in the middle order for the in-form Josh Inglis or a second all-rounder in Beau Webster. If so, Khawaja, 39, could be on his way to international retirement.

As for Hazlewood, who missed the series opener due to a hamstring injury, the 34-year-old was spotted training with Cummins in Sydney on Friday morning but was reportedly still unable to bowl at full speed.

Australian team: Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.