Cummins Firming for Gabba Return as Australia Delay Naming Second Test XI

Pat Cummins remains a surprise chance to return for Australia in the second Test against England at the Gabba, with selectors set to make a final call on Wednesday afternoon following an additional pitch inspection.

Stand-in captain Steven Smith declined to confirm the XI during his press conference, keeping open the possibility of Cummins not only rejoining the side but resuming the captaincy. Smith also would not rule out Australia omitting specialist spinner Nathan Lyon for a second consecutive day-night Test.

Australia must also find a replacement for injured opener Usman Khawaja. Josh Inglis is considered the frontrunner to slot into the middle order ahead of Beau Webster, which would see Travis Head promoted to open. But Smith stressed that nothing was locked in.

“A whole heap of things are on the table,” Smith said. “We’ll wait and see what the wicket looks like, and from there we’ll determine a playing XI.”

Cummins’ potential inclusion is notable given he was absent from the 14-man squad announced last Friday. However, he was never formally ruled out, having impressed in recent net sessions in Perth and Brisbane while recovering from a lower-back bone stress injury.

“He looks pretty good to me the way he’s bowled in the nets,” Smith said. “Games are a different intensity, for sure, but he’s tracking nicely. He knows his body well.”

If selected, Cummins would likely replace Brendan Doggett, though workload concerns remain given he has not played competitive cricket since July. Medical staff are expected to be more comfortable if Australia opts for an all-pace attack—an option more likely if Lyon is deemed unnecessary for the pink-ball conditions.

Lyon has often played a reduced role in day-night Tests. He was omitted entirely in Jamaica earlier this year and bowled only one over in Adelaide last summer. He delivered just two overs in the first Test in Perth, as England batted for only 67.3 overs across the match.

Although Lyon bowled 50 overs in the most recent Gabba day-night Test in 2024, Smith said his spot was not guaranteed.

“We’ll look at the surface and sum things up from there,” he said. “Nathan’s done really well here in the past… but we’ll weigh up the options.”

The Gabba pitch has appeared unusually green in the lead-up, though warm, dry weather is forecast for the first three days.

“It’s still quite grassy, a little soft,” Smith said. “It’ll bake under the sun today, and the curator will take a little bit off, so it might look different in a couple of hours.”