Australia Keeps Unchanged Squad for Second Ashes Test
BRISBANE: Australia, who are 1-0 up in the five-test Ashes series after a stunning two-day win in the first test in Perth, have named an unchanged squad for the day-night second match at the Gabba in Brisbane on December 4.
The return of captain Pat Cummins has been delayed despite reports that he performed well in the nets in Sydney on Friday. Veteran opener Usman Khawaja was included in the squad after back spasms prevented him from batting in the second innings of Perth’s series opener.
Cummins, 32, is in the final stages of recovering from back pain and will travel back to Brisbane with the team.
Cummins had a strong training session at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday, bowling a pink ball to stand-in captain Steve Smith at full pace for more than an hour, according to local media reports.
But Friday’s absence from the squad means Queensland native Brendan Doggett looks set to retain his place in Brisbane’s XI after picking up five wickets in the first test. Cummins could be a strong chance of returning to the team for the third game in Adelaide on December 17.
