Australia name 14-member squad for second D/N Ashes 2025/26 Test in Brisbane

Australia will continue to be without their regular captain, Pat Cummins, for the second Ashes 2025/26 Test, which will be a day-night contest at the Gabba in Brisbane. The selectors have picked the same 14 players who were on duty in Perth, with Josh Inglis, Michael Neser, and Beau Webster among those who failed to make it into the eleven.

Cummins bowled to Steve Smith on November 28 at the SCG and will travel to Brisbane with the team. He is likely to make his return in the third Test at the Adelaide Oval, which gives him two weeks to prepare. Their opening batter, Usman Khawaja, has retained his place in the squad after back spasms in Perth.

Travis Head’s success during the chase of Australia, where he smashed a fine knock of 123 runs off just 83 runs in the fourth innings of the game, has prompted debate about whether it should be made a permanent move.

Australia retain 14-member squad for second D/N Ashes 2025/26 Test in Brisbane

The absence of Cummins means that Brendan Doggett, who claimed five wickets in Perth, is likely to retain his place alongside the experienced duo of Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc. However, a question stands on Nathan Lyon, given he only bowled two overs in Perth and didn’t feature in Australia’s most recent pink-ball Test at the Sabina Park in Jamaica.

“I am going to control what I can control, keep ticking the legs over, and keep bowling and trying to improve in every session and game. If I get called on in that second Test, I feel like I am ready to go again.” Doggett expressed. Josh Hazlewood, who never had a chance to play in Brisbane, continued his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Australia lost their previous day-night Test at the Gabba against the West Indies, where they were blown away before the superb, fiery spell of Shamar Joseph.

Australia squad for second Ashes 2025/26 Test in Brisbane

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