BRISBANE: Australia captain Pat Cummins and paceman Josh Hazlewood will miss the second Ashes Test with injuries, Cricket Australia confirmed on Friday, while opener Usman Khawaja has been retained despite back spasms in the Perth opener.
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Australia, leading the series 1-0 after an eight-wicket victory at Perth Stadium, will be captained again by stand-in skipper Steve Smith. Mitchell Starc will lead a pace attack featuring Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett. Cummins will travel with the squad but is unavailable for selection.
Cummins has been sidelined since July due to a lumbar stress injury sustained during Australia’s tour of the West Indies. Hazlewood, part of Australia’s elite trio of fast bowlers alongside Cummins and Starc, is still recovering from a hamstring strain that kept him out of the Perth Test.
Australia captain Pat Cummins and fellow paceman Josh Hazlewood will sit out another Ashes Test with injury while opening batter Usman Khawaja has been retained in an unchanged squad for the second match in Brisbane pic.twitter.com/ztjpoNMtvX
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) November 28, 2025
Despite limited participation in net sessions, Cummins bowled at near full intensity in Sydney, while Hazlewood and reserve seamer Sean Abbott bowled off shortened run-ups as they continue rehabilitation. Coach and selector Andrew McDonald had previously left Cummins’ fitness until the last moment, but an early call confirmed he will not play at the Gabba starting December 4.
Khawaja, 38, was retained in the squad despite his back spasms, with discussions ongoing over whether Travis Head, who opened successfully in Perth with a match-winning 123, could replace him at the top of the order.
– No Pat Cummins.
– No Josh Hazlewood.AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCE AN UNCHANGED SQUAD FOR THE 2ND ASHES TEST. pic.twitter.com/54pa3j82t9
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 28, 2025
The full Australian squad for the Gabba Test includes: 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, and Beau Webster.
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Australia will aim to consolidate their lead against England in Brisbane, even with key fast bowlers missing, while England prepares to respond under pressure in the series decider.