The opportunity that England squandered in Perth has presented itself once more after Australia opted to play it safe with Pat Cummins and name an unchanged squad for next week’s day-night second Test at the Gabba.
Beyond their match-defining collapse on the second afternoon, one of the most galling aspects of England’s eight-wicket defeat in the first Test was the fact that both Cummins and Josh Hazlewood – two longstanding members of their fabled fast bowling group – were missing.
But the situation remains unchanged as Ben Stokes and his tourists look to level the five-match series starting in Brisbane on 4 December.
Hazlewood is still absent, while Cummins has been held back despite a recent return to training that has included bowling with the pink Kookaburra ball.
Cricket Australia offered no specifics regarding the delay for Cummins other than to say Australia’s Test captain will travel with the squad.
The 32-year-old is recovering from a lower back stress injury that was detected after the 3-0 Test series win in the Caribbean in July.
Had Australia lost in Perth – a distinct possibility before England’s second innings imploded – the need for Cummins to return at the Gabba would have been greater. As it is, Steve Smith will once again captain a side that will get within touching distance of retaining the urn with a second successive win.
Unchanged though the 14-man squad is, the leadership group still has decisions to make regarding the final XI.
Back spasms made Usman Khawaja something of a passenger in Perth, and with Travis Head stepping up in Australia’s second innings and ransacking a match-sealing 69-ball century, there are growing calls for that promotion to become permanent.
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Head continuing at the top – a role he already performs in one-day international cricket – would then open up a middle order berth for either the in-form Josh Inglis or a second all-rounder in Beau Webster. If so, then Khawaja, 39, could be heading towards international retirement.
As regards Hazlewood, who missed the series opener with a hamstring strain, the 34-year-old was seen training with Cummins in Sydney on Friday morning but was reportedly still short of bowling at full pace.
Australia squad: Steve Smith (captain), 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.
