Australia coach Andrew McDonald is optimistic that captain Pat Cummins will make his return for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, despite Cummins himself describing his chances as “half.”
Cummins had been scheduled to bowl in the nets during the Perth Test, but Australia’s rapid win delayed those plans. McDonald said the decision on his return will come closer to the Test.
Meanwhile, opener Usman Khawaja remains a doubt. He has returned home for further checks after experiencing back spasms in the first Test, and there is no guarantee he will be selected for Brisbane even if cleared.
In Khawaja’s absence during the Perth Test, Travis Head opened and scored a match-winning century — and McDonald hinted that Head might continue in that role.
McDonald also underlined the importance of veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, saying that despite the pace-friendly conditions at the Gabba, he remains integral for middle-session control.
