Pat Cummins has not been included in what is an unchanged Australia squad for the day-night Test against England at the Gabba. The selectors have retained the 14 players who were on duty in Perth, with Josh Inglis, Michael Neser and Beau Webster among those who did not make the XI. Cummins, who had an extensive training session at the SCG on Friday, when he bowled to stand-in captain Steven Smith, will travel to Brisbane to continue his return to bowling.

He is next due to bowl on Monday, and while there is nothing stopping the selectors adding him to the squad nearer the game, the likely outcome is a return for the third Test in Adelaide which gives him another two weeks to prepare. Speaking to broadcasters during the Perth Test, Cummins had given himself "half a chance" of being ready for Brisbane and had bowled with the pink ball since returning to Sydney after the two-day finish. 

Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja has retained his place in the squad after back spasms in Perth limited his role, leaving him unable to open the batting in either innings. Travis Head's success in the position during Australia's chase, where he hammered 123 off 83 balls, has prompted debate about whether it should be made a permanent move.  Providing Khawaja is fit, he is favoured to retain his spot, although Inglis and Webster are middle-order options should the selectors opt for a change.

The absence of Cummins means that Brendan Doggett, who claimed five wickets in Perth, will likely retain his place, alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. "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," Doggett said on Thursday. "If I get called on in that second Test, I feel like I am ready to go again." 

However, a question mark hangs over the role of Nathan Lyon, given he only bowled two overs in Perth, and did not play Australia's most recent pink-ball Test in Jamaica. Webster may come into the mix as an extra allrounder which would lengthen the batting or Neser, who is also a capable batter, could be drafted in. 

Josh Hazlewood, who was never a chance to feature in Brisbane, continued his recovery from a hamstring injury with another light bowl on Friday and there remains a chance he could play a part later in the series. Steve Smith (capt), 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 Webst. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)