Australia name unchanged squad for second Ashes Test

Skipper Pat Cummins was left out of an unchanged Australia squad named on Friday for the day-night second Ashes Test against England in Brisbane as he battles back from injury, but under-pressure opener Usman Khawaja kept his place.

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Fellow star paceman Josh Hazlewood was also absent, as expected, as he continues his recovery from a hamstring problem.

Cummins has not played since picking up a lower back injury against the West Indies four months ago.

He missed the rapid-fire opening Test in Perth that Australia won by eight wickets inside two days, but has been at full pace in the nets in recent weeks and said last weekend he was “half a chance” to play in Brisbane.

But selectors are clearly taking no chances with the 32-year-old, who will now be targeting the third Test in Adelaide on December 17.

It means Steve Smith will remain captain while Brendan Doggett is set to once more lead the attack with Perth IO-wicket hero Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, on what is expected to be another fast track.

The Gabba Test gets under way on Dec. 4 with Australia looking to ram home their advantage and take a 2-0 lead in the five-Test series.

Despite missing out Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations, Cricket Australia said.

Khawaja made the squad amid mounting calls for the veteran to be dumped.