The Ashes: Pat Cummins could play in second Test as Australia delay naming team
There will be at least one change in the Australian team in the first Test after opener Usman Khawaja failed to recover from back spasms.
Leeds-born batsman Josh Inglis is the player most likely to make the team as he has been training as part of the Australian slip cordon.
Travis Head, who made a match century in Perth after being promoted to opener to replace Khawaja, will remain at the top of the order.
Inglis moved to Australia when he was 14 and made his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka this year.
The 30-year-old, who has three Test caps, made a hundred for the Cricket Australia XI against the England Lions at the weekend of the first Test.
“He’s a pretty aggressive hitter,” Smith said. “He did really well in his first match in Sri Lanka. He’s in really good form and bowls very well fast. I’m sure he’ll do really well.”
The return of Cummins, one of the world’s best fast bowlers, will be a huge boost to the Australian team offering them a chance to take a 1-0 lead and move one step closer to securing the Ashes.
Only Mitchell Starc has taken more wickets than Cummins in floodlit Tests. Cummins has a better average, strike rate and economy rate when bowling with the pink ball compared to the red ball.
Batting at number eight, Cummins will also boost the Australian batting order, which includes a long tail in Perth.
England, who have not won a test in Australia for almost 15 years and have not won a match in Brisbane since 1986, confirmed their team on Tuesday.
Spin-bowling all-rounder Will Jacks was included in his first Test in three years as a replacement for injured fast bowler Mark Wood.
With England identifying the need for a spin option, Jacks was selected ahead of first choice spinner Shoaib Bashir due to the runs he was able to provide at number eight.
“We tried to look at how we thought spin would be used and there was a bit of a tactical element to it,” Stokes said.
“Jacksy’s ability with the bat makes it easier for us as well.
“If it comes down to choosing our best spinner, the choice goes the other way.”
