Australia leave door open for return of Cummins

Australia have delayed naming their team for the second Ashes Test against England, leaving the door open for captain Pat Cummins to make a shock return.

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Pace bowler Cummins missed the first Test with the back injury that has stopped him from playing since July.

The 32-year-old bowled in the nets in Perth during the first Test and again in his home city of Sydney following Australia’s victory, only to be left out of the squad for the day-night Test in Brisbane starting on Thursday.

But on Tuesday, with Cummins again training in Brisbane, Australia refused to rule out the possibility of him being included in the XI at the Gabba.

Steve Smith, who led Australia in Perth, spoke on Wednesday at the captain’s pre-match news conference and said they would name their team later in the day.