Australia will be without captain Pat Cummins for the second Ashes Test at the Gabba as he continues to recover from a back injury.

The 32-year-old fast bowler, who has not played since July, was absent for Australia’s stunning victory over England in the first Test in Perth. Cummins had been expected to return for the day-night match, having bowled in the nets in Perth and Sydney, but he has not completed the program required for a Test comeback.

Australia have named an unchanged 14-man squad, with Steve Smith leading as stand-in captain. Injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood also remains sidelined, while opener Usman Khawaja keeps his place. Cummins will join the squad in Brisbane on Sunday as he continues building towards a potential return in the third Test in Adelaide, starting December 17 (16 December GMT).

Possible Attack Options

Without Cummins and Hazlewood, Australia may field the same bowling attack that dominated England in Perth. Mitchell Starc took 10 wickets and earned player-of-the-match honors, supported by Scott Boland, debutant Brendan Doggett, all-rounder Cameron Green, and off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon struggled in Perth after being struck while batting by England fast bowler Mark Wood, and if Australia opts to drop him in Brisbane, potential replacements include seamer Michael Neser or all-rounder Beau Webster.

Batting Lineup Considerations

Khawaja’s fitness remains under review after missing both innings in Perth. If he is unavailable, Josh Inglis, who scored a century for a Cricket Australia XI against the England Lions on Monday, could replace him. Travis Head, promoted to number three in the second innings in Perth, struck one of the greatest Ashes hundreds to help secure the victory.

England Prepares for Brisbane

England have opted against sending any first-Test players to a two-day pink-ball match between the England Lions and the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra. Instead, they have scheduled two extra training sessions ahead of the second Test, including a session at Allan Border Field on Saturday. Captain Ben Stokes is expected to address the media before the match.

Australia have not lost an Ashes Test at Brisbane since 1986 and boast a near-perfect record in day-night Ashes matches, having won all three previous pink-ball Tests and losing only one of 14 overall.