Australia made a stunning call on Thursday by dropping veteran spinner Nathan Lyon for the second Ashes Test at The Gabba. In his place, selectors have recalled Michael Neser, handing him a surprise call-up to lead a four-pronged pace attack under the Gabba lights.
At the same time, skipper Pat Cummins’ return from his back injury has been postponed, ruling him out of this match despite earlier hopes. Beyond the bowling shift, the batting lineup sees a change too, with Josh Inglis coming in for the injured Usman Khawaja, marking Inglis’s first home Test. England, under captain Ben Stokes, have elected to bat first in the second day-night Ashes Test.
By dropping Lyon and opting for Neser and a seam-heavy attack, Australia seem to be relying on the Gabba’s day-night conditions favouring pace and swing rather than spin. On the other hand, by opting to bat first, England would want to build a strong first-innings total to put pressure back on the hosts.
Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer