Pat Cummins might play in second Ashes 2025-26 test in Brisbane as Australia delay naming XI

Pat Cummins wasn’t named in the Australian squad for the second test of Ashes 2025-26.

Australia captain Pat Cummins might play in the second test of the Ashes 2025-26 against England. This match will be a day-night test that will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 4 onwards.

Pat Cummins has not played international cricket since the West Indies test tour, where he suffered an inflammation of the back. He spent time recovering at home, trying to avoid surgery, and only recently started bowling at full tilt. He was seen bowling in Australia nets ahead of the first test in Perth as well, and continued to do the same in Brisbane.

He was left out of the Australia squad for the second test, with Steve Smith continuing to captain the hosts. However, with Cummins back training in Brisbane on Tuesday, Australia refused to rule him out of the XI at the Gabba.

“We’ll wait and see”- Steve Smith on possibility of Pat Cummins playing in the second test in Brisbane

At the captain’s pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Steve Smith, who captained Australia in Perth, stated that the lineup would be announced 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, following which Cummins was embraced by McDonald.

Following the Australia team’s withdrawal from the ground, it was stated they would not name their team until the toss on Thursday. Smith stated that “a whole heap of things are on the table” when he spoke earlier in the day.

“We’ll wait and see what the wicket looks like later, and from there we’ll determine a playing XI. 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,” Steve Smith was quoted as saying by BBC.

Cummins may take the place of fast bowler Brendan Doggett, who made his test debut in Perth, or Nathan Lyon if Australia elects to go without a frontline spinner.

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.”

The Australia team will change at least once from the first test, after opener Usman Khawaja failed to recover from back spasms. Josh Inglis, a Leeds native, is the most likely to make the squad after training with Australia’s slip cordon.

One of the top fast bowlers in the world, Cummins’ return would be a significant boost to an Australia squad that leads 1-0 and has the opportunity to get one step closer to winning the Ashes.

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