Australia have delayed naming their team for the second Ashes Test against England, leaving the door open for captain Pat Cummins to make a shock return..
Pace bowler Cummins missed the first Test with the back injury that has stopped him from playing since July.
The 32-year-old bowled in the nets in Perth during the first Test and again in his home city of Sydney following Australia’s victory, only to be left out of the squad for the day-night Test in Brisbane starting on Thursday.
But on Tuesday, with Cummins again training in Brisbane, Australia refused to rule out the possibility of him being included in the XI at the Gabba.
Stokes speaks to TMS as Cummins could return
Steve Smith, who led Australia in Perth, spoke on Wednesday at the captain’s pre-match news conference and said they would name their team later in the day.
A meeting between Cummins, Smith, head coach Andrew McDonald and selector George Bailey took place on the square at the Gabba, after which Cummins was embraced by McDonald.
Following the Australia team’s departure from the ground, it was confirmed they would not name their team until the toss on Thursday.
Speaking earlier in the day, Smith said there were “a whole heap of things are on the table”.
“We’ll wait and see what the wicket looks like later and from there we’ll determine a playing XI,” he said.
“He looks pretty good to me; he’s bowled in the nets. Obviously games are different intensity, but he’s tracking nicely and he knows his body well.
“He’s been bowling for a few weeks and pulling up well, and ramping his numbers up. He’s feeling good. He’s bowling nicely in the nets, having faced him.”
Cummins could take the place of pace bowler Brendan Doggett, who made his Test debut in Perth, or Nathan Lyon if Australia opt to go without a frontline spinner.
It is not unusual for Australia to name their XI at the toss – England are outliers for their preference of naming a team early.
But it can also not be discounted that Australia are holding off on announcement to keep the tourists guessing.
Asked about Australia’s decision not to name their team, England captain Ben Stokes said: “We’ll just have to wait and see what XI they go with.
“Pat’s awesome. He has been for a very, very long time. He’s done great things not only as a player, but he’s been great since he’s been given the responsibility of being captain for Australia.
“Whatever XI they go with – if Pat’s there, if Pat’s not – we’ll still be going in there to try and get the win too.”
