Australian selectors drop Ashes bombshell as team named for second Test in Brisbane

Australian selectors have made two huge calls ahead of the second Test in Perth, with the opener debate settled.

Australian selectors have withstood the temptation to drop Usman Khawaja or rush back captain Pat Cummins for the second Test, naming an unchanged team for next week’s second Test in Brisbane.

Fans were calling for Khawaja to make way after Travis Head shone at opener in the second innings of the first Test in Perth.

Head blasted 123, destroying England’s hopes of taking anything from the series opener.

But selectors have stuck with Khawaja despite his recent struggles.

The 38-year-old is expected to line up alongside Jake Weatherald at the top of the order again in Brisbane, however, it is still no guarantee despite being named in the 14-man group on Friday.

Head could theoretically still be moved up to open, with either Michael Neser, Josh Inglis and Beau Webster - the three members of the first Test squad who didn’t get selected in the XI - able to come in.

However, if the plan was to end Khawaja’s Aussie Test career, one would assume he wouldn’t have been selected in the team at all.

Australia name team for second Test.

And in arguably an even bigger shock than Khawaja keeping his place, selectors also opted not to select captain Cummins, going for a cautious approach with his recovery.

The fast bowler’s rehabilitation from a back stress injury has not been rushed, and having sat out Australia’s stunning two-day win to open the series in Perth, he will also miss the Gabba Test.

On Friday, he bowled unencumbered to Steve Smith with the pink ball in an hour-long net session, but even still, selectors have decided to err on the side of caution.

“Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations,” read a Cricket Australia statement on Friday. “The squad assembles in Brisbane from Sunday.”

And in arguably an even bigger shock than Khawaja keeping his place, selectors also opted not to select captain Cummins, going for a cautious approach with his recovery.

The fast bowler’s rehabilitation from a back stress injury has not been rushed, and having sat out Australia’s stunning two-day win to open the series in Perth, he will also miss the Gabba Test.

On Friday, he bowled unencumbered to Steve Smith with the pink ball in an hour-long net session, but even still, selectors have decided to err on the side of caution.

“Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations,” read a Cricket Australia statement on Friday. “The squad assembles in Brisbane from Sunday.”

Australia’s pace attack for the first Test of Mitchell Starc (L), Brendan Doggett (C) and Scott Boland (R). (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

“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, Nathan Lyon is no guarantee to line up, with the pink ball suiting pace.

The veteran spinner only bowled two overs in Perth and did not play in Australia’s last pink-ball Test in Jamaica.

So selectors may be tempted to go with Neser.

The second Test in Brisbane gets underway on Thursday next week.

Australia squad: 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.

Originally published as Australian selectors drop Ashes bombshell as team named for second Test in Brisbane