Australia name unchanged squad for second Ashes Test with Pat Cummins still out

Australia have named an unchanged squad for next week’s second Test in Brisbane, with captain Pat Cummins still absent after selectors opted for a cautious approach over the return of their captain.

The fast bowler’s recovery from a back stress injury has not been rushed and having sat out Australia’s stunning two-day win to open the series in Perth, he will now also miss the Gabba Test.

The 32-year-old has gradually increased his workload and travelled with the team to Perth where he bowled in the nets, before backing up at Cricket NSW headquarters earlier this week. On Friday he bowled to Steve Smith with a pink ball for an hour, apparently unencumbered and at full pace.

But the match in Brisbane, which starts on Thursday, comes too soon for the strike bowler, selectors revealed on Friday.

Cummins will travel to Brisbane with the rest of the squad to continue his preparations for a return later in the series, with the Adelaide Test starting on 17 December now the target.

At the Sydney net sessions, Cummins was joined by Josh Hazlewood, who is still not back to full pace as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury and also misses the second Test.

In the absence of the spearhead pair, Brendan Dogget, who made his debut in the first Test, retains his place, as does Usman Khawaja, who struggled with back spasms in Perth and managed to bat once, making just two runs.

But questions remain over which opening partnership selectors will choose once play gets under way on Thursday.

Travis Head, who deputised at No 1 with Khawaja unable to open in the second innings in Perth, is in the conversation after his blistering 123 destroyed England’s hopes of taking anything from the series opener.

Jake Weatherald, another player who debuted in Perth, looked more assured in his second innings dig alongside Head after he fell for a duck in his first Test match outing, and appears set to retain his place.

Should Head usurp Khawaja at the top of the order, Beau Webster is in the frame to win back his place in the XI.

More to follow.

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.