Australia Stays Tight-Lipped on Second Test Lineup, Door Wide Open for Cummins’ Return

The starting XI for the next Test match is yet to be decided under 24 hours before the first ball in the Gabba, with a closer look of the wicket required before the Australian selectors name a team that may yet include Pat Cummins.

Acting Captain Steve Smith Hints at Possibility for Surprise Recall

Vice-captain Steve Smith fronted an waiting press on the eve of the Test but was keeping quiet about the exact make-up of the lineup. Yet, he left the door open a surprise recall for Pat Cummins, who was forced to miss the first Test due to a back issue.

“He has appeared pretty good to me, the way he’s been bowling in practice,” the stand-in captain remarked. “Naturally the game is different, but he’s coming along well, he knows his body well.”

11th-Hour Draft Remains a Live Option

The pace spearhead was initially left out in Australia’s larger group for the Brisbane Test, but still travelled to Brisbane to work on his fitness with the team. Smith said he was on the right track and could yet be drafted in at the last minute.

“It's a waiting game but as stated, he’s not far away,” the captain noted. “He’s done everything really well the last little bit and we’ll see after three o’clock when we look at that surface whether he’s an option or not.”

Team Dilemmas Loom if He Returns

A return to the side for Cummins, which seemed improbable just a few days ago, would lead to recent Test player Brendan Doggett or even spin veteran Nathan Lyon missing out.

Smith refused to guarantee Lyon’s place in the team when pressed about the spinner's selection.

“Undecided,” he responded. “We will assess the surface as I said and determine our strategy from there. This is a ground Nathan has excelled in the previous matches, he’s a top performer. We’ll weigh up the options and see how we go.”

Batsmen In Contention for Recall

Josh Inglis will also have to wait to learn whether he has made the team. The batter is the frontrunner to enter the lineup in place of the unfit Usman Khawaja, with the left-hander expected to open the batting again after his century in Perth.

“A heap of things are on the table,” Smith explained. “It's a matter of waiting what the wicket is like and from there we’ll decide on a final team.”

“[Inglis] is clearly a very aggressive batsman,” Smith said. “Did really well on his first Test in Sri Lanka, he’s been in excellent touch... He handles pace exceptionally. So if he gets the nod I’m sure he’ll excel for us.”

Last-Minute Call Timeline

In addition to Inglis, Beau Webster is in the mix to earn a recall at number six, on the expectation that Head opens the batting alongside Jake Weatherald, and Cam Green moves up to No 5.

Smith noted a definite call on the team could be made later on Wednesday, but it might also be postponed until the Thursday. Play gets under way at the Brisbane Cricket Ground at 2pm local time (3pm AEDT) on Thursday.