Pat Cummins denied entry; Australia squad for England 2nd Ashes Test announced

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the unchanged squad for the upcoming Day-Night Test of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 against England on Friday (November 27). The big headline is that Pat Cummins, Australia’s regular captain and one of their biggest stars, will miss the game.

Earlier, there were reports that Pat Cummins would be named in the Australia squad for the second Ashes Test, but the star fast bowler’s long-awaited comeback has been pushed back again, even though he has been training hard and bowling fast in the nets.

Pat Cummins' comeback delayed again, Steve Smith to lead Australia in Day-Night Test

The Australian selectors confirmed that the same 14 players who were part of their eight-wicket victory in the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Steve Smith will continue to lead the Australian side in the Day-Night Test against England, starting on December 4 at The Gabba in Brisbane.

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Usman Khawaja has also been named in the Australia squad despite suffering back spasms that didn’t allow him to bat in the second innings in the Ashes opener in Perth.

Khawaja will be tested again when the team arrives in Brisbane to see if he is fit enough to play in the second Ashes Test.

Pat Cummins missed the first Test because of a back injury, and he has now been given two more weeks to fully recover.

Even though Pat Cummins bowled for more than an hour at high intensity with the pink ball at the SCG on Friday and had another long session earlier in the week at Cricket Central, the team has decided that it is still too risky to bring him back.

Brendan Doggett to retain his spot in Australia XI for the second Ashes Test

The star pacer also trained with the Test squad before the Perth match, but Australia clearly wants to avoid any chance of a setback. With Pat Cummins rested for the Day-Night Test, Brendan Doggett is in line to play again.

The Queensland fast bowler had a dream debut in Perth, taking five wickets in Perth. Now, Doggett is expected to keep his spot for the Gabba Test in front of his home crowd.

If everything goes well, Pat Cummins is likely to return for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, starting December 17.

Josh Hazlewood has also been working his way back. He bowled with the red ball this week and looks more comfortable, but Australia believes that he will be ready only later in the series.

Hazlewood missed the first Test due to a hamstring strain he picked up while playing for New South Wales (NSW) in the Sheffield Shield.

Usman Khawaja doubtful for Day-Night Test

Well, if Khawaja does not recover in time, or if the team wants to try a new opening combination based on Head’s explosive performance, Australia may consider bringing in either Josh Inglis or Beau Webster.

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Notably, the Australian team landed in Brisbane on Thursday, but their entire first-choice playing XI decided not to take part in any pink-ball practice match.

Only their unused squad members, including Jacob Bethell, Matthew Potts, and Josh Tongue, will play against the Prime Minister’s XI this weekend.

Instead, England’s main squad will train at the Gabba for the first time on Sunday. They will also have a special session under lights on Monday to adjust to the pink ball conditions ahead of the match.

Australia’s squad for the second Test vs England:

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.