The starting XI for the upcoming Brisbane Test is yet to be decided just hours before the opening delivery in the Gabba, with a closer look of the wicket required before the hosts name a team that could still feature their captain.
Stand-in Skipper Smith Leaves Door Open for Surprise Return
Acting skipper Steve Smith fronted an journalists on the eve of the Test but was keeping quiet about the exact make-up of the lineup. Nonetheless, he did not rule out a surprise recall for Pat Cummins, who was forced to miss the first Test due to a back injury.
“He seems pretty good to me, the way he’s bowled in the nets,” the stand-in captain remarked. “Naturally games are different intensity, but he’s progressing very well, he understands his fitness.”
11th-Hour Inclusion Remains a Possibility
The quick was initially left out in Australia’s larger group for the next encounter, but nonetheless went to Brisbane to rehabilitate with the team. Smith indicated he was improving nicely and may be called up at the last minute.
“It's a waiting game but as I mentioned, he’s close,” the captain noted. “He’s done all the right things the recent period and we’ll see later today when we look at that surface whether he’s a possibility or not.”
Team Dilemmas Ahead if He Returns
A return to the side for Cummins, which seemed improbable just a short time back, would lead to recent Test player Brendan Doggett or even spin veteran Nathan Lyon being omitted.
Smith refused to guarantee Lyon’s place in the team when asked about the off-spinner’s selection.
“Not sure,” he responded. “We’ll look at the pitch as I said and sum things up from there. This is a ground Nathan has done really well in the history, he’s a quality bowler. We’ll weigh up the choices and see how we go.”
Batters Awaiting Recall
The wicketkeeper-batter will also have to wait to learn whether he has made the team. The player is the frontrunner to enter the lineup in place of the unfit Usman Khawaja, with Travis Head touted to take the opening spot again after his heroics in Perth.
“Many options are on the table,” Smith commented. “The decision is pending what the pitch is like and from there we’ll finalize a playing XI.”
“[Inglis] is clearly a pretty attacking batsman,” Smith added. “Did really well on his first Test in Sri Lanka, he’s been in excellent touch... He plays fast bowling very well. So if he is selected I’m sure he’ll perform admirably for us.”
Last-Minute Decision Pending
Along with Inglis, Beau Webster is in the mix to return to the side at No 6, on the expectation that Travis Head opens the batting alongside Jake Weatherald, and the all-rounder shifts to No 5.
Smith noted a final decision on the XI could be made before the day ends, but equally it could be delayed until the Thursday. The match gets under way at the Brisbane Cricket Ground at 1400 local (1500 AEDT) on Thursday.
