BRISBANE, QLD — The Ashes 2025/26 series moves to the Gabba for a pivotal Day-Night Second Test starting Thursday, December 4. With Australia leading 1-0 after the two-day Perth victory, England faces an immediate crisis at one of Australia’s most formidable fortresses. The combination of the pink ball and the notorious twilight swing threatens to compound the tourists’ misery and push their aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach to its breaking point. In a significant blow for the home side, Australian selectors have opted for caution, confirming that captain Pat Cummins will miss the Gabba Test as he continues to recover from a lower-back stress injury. Steve Smith will once again lead the Australian team, a situation that presents a massive psychological opportunity for Ben Stokes’ side.
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Australia Team News: Cummins Out, Head-Khawaja Selection Dilemma for Gabba XI
The hosts, buoyed by the historic eight-wicket win in Perth, have named an unchanged 14-man squad. However, the absence of Cummins, paired with Josh Hazlewood still being sidelined with a hamstring injury, means Australia’s attack will again rely heavily on Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and debutant Brendan Doggett.
The Khawaja-Head Conundrum
The major talking point is the batting lineup, specifically at the top of the order:
- Travis Head’s Form: Head blasted the second-fastest Ashes century (123 off 83 balls) as a makeshift opener in Perth. His explosive performance makes a strong case for retaining his spot alongside Jake Weatherald.
- Usman Khawaja’s Fitness: Veteran opener Usman Khawaja has retained his squad place despite back spasms forcing him off the field in Perth. Should he prove his fitness, selectors must decide whether to reinstate him at the top and push Head back to No. 5, or stick with the victorious, albeit unorthodox, opening combination. A permanent promotion for Head would open a middle-order spot for the in-form Josh Inglis or all-rounder Beau Webster.
Expected Australian XI (Captain: Steve Smith): Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Michael Neser/Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett.
England’s Response: Can ‘Bazball’ Survive the Pink Ball and Gabba Pressure?
England’s decision to stick rigidly to their aggressive ‘Bazball’ philosophy after the Perth collapse has drawn widespread criticism. While coach Brendon McCullum remains defiant, the sheer pace and swing of the Australian attack under lights will test their approach to the limit.
The Zak Crawley Question
Opener Zak Crawley bagged a pair of ducks in Perth, both delivered by Mitchell Starc. The Gabba’s pace and the pink ball’s movement during the treacherous twilight session make the opening exchanges absolutely crucial. The pressure is immense for the English top-order to survive Starc’s first spell.
Bowling Changes and Pink Ball Practice
England’s bowling performance in Perth was solid, particularly Ben Stokes’ 5-23 in the first innings. The only likely change is the introduction of a fresh bowler who can maximize pink-ball swing. While fast bowler Josh Tongue is an option, the pitch conditions often favour the line-and-length of a more traditional seamer.
Crucially, the entire English XI from the First Test opted against pink-ball match practice in the lead-up, relying purely on net sessions. This tactical choice is a risky gamble given Australia’s formidable record in Gabba Day-Night Tests.
Expected England XI (Captain: Ben Stokes): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood/Josh Tongue, Jack Leach.
Gabba Pink Ball Forecast: The Crucial Twilight Session and Starc’s Threat
The Gabba Day-Night Test is a different beast entirely. Play begins at 2:00 PM local time (4:00 AM GMT) and runs until 9:00 PM, meaning the critical twilight session (approximately 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM local time) will be played under rapidly changing conditions.
Mitchell Starc vs. England’s Top Order: Starc, the Player of the Match in Perth, is a devastating pink-ball specialist. His left-arm angle, combined with the swinging pink Kookaburra ball during twilight, is arguably the most decisive factor in the match. If England’s aggressive openers can survive this period, they stand a chance; if not, the series could effectively be over before Christmas.
England’s ability to level the series rests squarely on surviving the first few hours with the pink ball and proving that ‘Bazball’ can adapt to the unique tactical demands of a Day-Night Test in an Australian cauldron.
