Online Reporter
AUSTRALIA will again be without Pat Cummins for the second Ashes Test cricket in Brisbane as the captain continues to recover from a back injury.
Fast bowler Cummins, who has not played since July, missed Australia’s astonishing defeat of England in the first Test in Perth.
The 32-year-old bowled in the nets in Perth and again in Sydney between Tests and was expected to return for the day-nighter at the Gabba, beginning on Thursday.
But Australia have named an unchanged squad, once again led by stand-in captain Steve Smith.
In naming the same 14 players, Australia are also without injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, while opener Usman Khawaja retains his place.
Cummins is understood not to have completed the programme required for his return to play in a Test.
He will join the rest of the squad in Brisbane tomorrow as he continues to build towards a comeback.
Missing the second Test means Cummins has almost three more weeks to prepare for a potential appearance in the third match of the series in Adelaide, beginning on December 17 (23:30 GMT, December 16).
Hazlewood missed the first Test with a hamstring injury and, like Cummins, has been bowling in the nets in Sydney this week. There is no indication as to when the 34-year-old could make his return.
Without Cummins and Hazlewood, Australia could field an unchanged attack for the pink-ball Test.
In Perth, left-armer Mitchell Starc took 10 wickets and was named player of the match. He was joined by fellow seamers Scott Boland and debutant Brendan Doggett, along with all-rounder Cameron Green and off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon struggled in Perth after being struck while batting by England fast bowler Mark Wood.
Australia squad for second Ashes Test:
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. — BBC Sport.
dyton mupawaenda