Let's be honest, the lead-up to the second Ashes Test at the Gabba has been less about cricket and more about a classic game of 'will he, won't he?' The entire conversation has been dominated by one name: Pat Cummins. Despite not officially being in the squad as he recovers from a back injury, the whispers of a late, dramatic inclusion grew louder with every passing day, creating a sense of genuine intrigue that only the Ashes can deliver.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Intense speculation surrounded Pat Cummins' potential surprise return from injury for the Brisbane Test.
- ✓ Australia made a bold call, dropping veteran spinner Nathan Lyon for just the second home Test since his 2011 debut.
- ✓ Josh Inglis was confirmed as the replacement for the injured opener Usman Khawaja in the middle order.
- ✓ Stand-in captain Steven Smith fueled the intrigue with coy responses, refusing to confirm the XI before the toss.
- ✓ The decision for an all-out pace attack was heavily influenced by the distinct green tinge of the Gabba pitch.
The Cummins Conundrum: A Smokescreen or Genuine Possibility?
For 11 long days without cricket, the talk of a Cummins comeback in Brisbane has been brewing. He's been looking seriously impressive while ramping up his bowling in the nets this week. On Monday, he bowled two separate spells. On Tuesday, he headed over to Allan Border Field with Mitchell Starc, a place where bowlers can get their full run-ups in, unlike the Gabba nets. The signs were all there.
Even his teammates were taking notice. Scott Boland commented that Cummins "looked in red-hot form the other night, as good as you'll see [from] a fast bowler charging in in the nets." High praise indeed. Yet, the Australian camp kept their cards incredibly close to their chest. Stand-in skipper Steven Smith masterfully deepened the intrigue during his press conference, admitting a "whole heap of things are on the table."
Smith acknowledged Cummins was "tracking really nicely" but also added a crucial caveat: "obviously the game's a different intensity for sure." The drama hit a peak when Smith, chair of selectors George Bailey, Cummins himself, and head coach Andrew McDonald were all seen inspecting the pitch. There were prods, chats with the curator, and even a hug exchanged between Cummins and McDonald. It was pure theatre, and you just knew they were aware all eyes were on them.
The Big Casualty: Why Nathan Lyon Faced the Axe
Here's where the plot thickens. The only realistic way for an underdone Cummins to fit into the side was as part of an all-pace attack. This would allow his workload to be managed among the other quicks, but it came at a massive cost: leaving out Nathan Lyon. This was a monumental decision to even consider, especially given Lyon's incredible record with the pink ball—43 wickets at an average of 25.62.
The Gabba pitch, with its "distinct green tinge," was clearly a major factor. The leadership group wanted to see how it would look after another cut from the groundstaff before making a final call. Smith played it cool, saying, "I think here's a place where Nathan's done really well in the past. He's a quality bowler, but we'll weigh up the options." The suspense was maintained right up until the toss.
And then, the bombshell dropped. Australia did indeed opt for an all-out pace attack. But the twist? Cummins remained out through injury. Instead, it was Michael Neser who came into the side, squeezing Lyon out of the XI. Neser joins a formidable pace battery of Starc, Boland, and Brendan Doggett, with all-rounder Cameron Green providing support. For Lyon, it marked just the second time he's missed a home Test since his debut way back in 2011—a truly bold selection call.
Inglis Gets the Nod Over Unfortunate Webster
While the bowling attack was shrouded in mystery, the replacement for the injured Usman Khawaja felt a bit more straightforward. Khawaja, who battled back spasms in the first Test, was confirmed to be out. The selectors strongly favored Josh Inglis to come into the middle order, with Travis Head continuing his dramatic new role as an opener.
This means Beau Webster was unlucky for the second Test running, but Inglis's skill set was too good to ignore. The selectors highly rate his strength against the short ball, something they expect England to keep dishing up. His impressive knock of 120 off just 86 balls against a fiery English attack including Jofra Archer and Mark Wood at the Champions Trophy clearly left a lasting impression.
Smith was full of praise for the hard-hitting right-hander, noting his attacking style and good form. "He's been a really good player for a long period of time," Smith said. "Every opportunity he's got at any level, whether it be T20, ODI or Test cricket, he's put his best foot forward and done a good job for the team." Inglis, who was born in England before moving to Australia as a teen, is now set for his fourth Test appearance in the day-night contest.
Batting Orders and 'Eye Black': The Quirks of an Ashes Series
Beyond the main selection drama, there have been some fascinating subplots. One of them is the debate around flexible batting orders. After Travis Head's historic success opening in the Perth run-chase, he declared batting orders "overrated," a sentiment echoed by Cummins and McDonald. Smith, however, offered a more traditional perspective.
"I'm not sure I completely agree with those two," Smith admitted. "It's nice to be in a similar role and get used to that role over and over again." While he conceded that things can change in a pink-ball game, he seemed to pour cold water on the idea of radically different batting orders for different innings. It's a classic clash of new-school thinking versus old-school stability.
On a lighter note, Smith confirmed he'll be sporting 'eye black' tape under his eyes to combat the glare from the Gabba lights. And in a brilliant twist, he revealed he went straight to the source for advice. "I actually messaged Shivnarine Chanderpaul and asked him what his thoughts were," Smith said. Chanderpaul not only confirmed the tape blocks about 65% of the glare but also hilariously pointed out, "I've seen photos, and you're wearing them the wrong way." You've got to love the details that emerge during an Ashes series.
Conclusion
So, after all the speculation, the mind games, and the pitch inspections, the final picture is clear. The Cummins comeback was a tantalizing storyline that didn't materialize. Instead, the major shock was Australia's decision to go into a Gabba Test without their star spinner, Nathan Lyon, opting for an all-out pace assault. With Josh Inglis stepping in for Khawaja and England winning the toss to bowl first, this second Ashes Test is already shaping up to be an absolute thriller. The bold calls have been made, and now it's time for the cricket to do the talking.
