Pat Cummins during practice. (Getty Images) Australia have resisted the temptation to bring back their two opening fast bowlers, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, and have named an unchanged 14-man squad for the second Ashes Test starting at the Gabba on Thursday. The decision means Cummins’ expected return will be delayed for another two weeks, while Hazlewood will also remain unavailable as he continues to recover from a hamstring strain.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Cummins, who missed the first Test in Perth with groin stress, has been in impressive training this week – bowling full tilt with the pink ball at the SCG and completing long spells to skipper Steve Smith. Despite visible signs of improvement, the selectors opted for caution and did not want to risk their captain so early in the five-match series. He will travel to Brisbane with the team but will focus on a comeback in the third Test in Adelaide starting on December 17.
WPL Auction 2026: Full breakdown of all major figures
Hazlewood also bowled during the week but was seen using the red ball rather than the pink used for the upcoming day-night clash, a clear indication that his timeline remains conservative. Coach Andrew McDonald expressed optimism about his availability later in the series but ruled out any early return.The decision keeps Queensland quick Brendan Doggett in prime position to retain his place in the playing XI after a superb debut in Perth, where he took five wickets and impressed with his control and temperament.Experienced opener Usman Khawaja has been included in the squad but he needs to prove his fitness after back spasms forced him to sit out Australia’s second innings in the opening Test. Travis Head, who struck the second-fastest century in Ashes history while filling the top slot, remains flexible when it comes to batting position. McDonald indicated that Australia will reassess the batting order once Khawaja’s condition is clear.Meanwhile, England have arrived in Brisbane but have surprisingly opted against pink-ball training, with only squad members Jacob Bethell, Matthew Potts and Josh Tongue to face the premiership XI. Ben Stokes’ men begin training at the Gabba on Sunday as they look to level the series following Australia’s eight-wicket win in Perth.Australia’s second Ashes Test squad:
- 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, Beau Webster
