Pat Cummins could make a stunning return to Australia’s XI for the second Test against England at the Gabba, with selectors expected to make a final decision on Wednesday afternoon following a further pitch inspection. Australia’s stand-in captain, Steven Smith, did not confirm the final XI at Wednesday’s press conference, stating that a decision would be made later in the day.

Smith left the door open for Cummins to return as captain, while also leaving the possibility that Australia could omit their sole specialist spinner, Nathan Lyon, for the second consecutive day-night Test. The team also needs to replace injured opener Usman Khawaja, with Josh Inglis appearing the favourite to slot into the middle order ahead of Beau Webster, and Travis Head potentially moving up to open. However, Smith was unable to confirm either change at the time.

"A whole heap of things I think are on the table. We'll wait and see what the wicket looks like, and from there we'll determine a playing XI,” said Smith as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Cummins’ potential inclusion would come as a surprise, as he was not named in Australia’s 14-member squad for the Gabba Test when it was announced last Friday. However, he was never officially ruled out, with selectors impressed by his strong bowling sessions in the nets at Perth and Brisbane following his recovery from a stress fracture in his lower back.

"He looks pretty good to me the way he's bowled in the nets. Obviously, games are a different intensity, for sure, but he's tracking really nicely. He knows his body well, and yeah, we'll wait and see,” said Smith.

There is a possibility that Cummins could replace Brendan Doggett in the XI, but this would come with workload considerations. Having not played any competitive cricket since July, Australia’s medical staff would likely feel more comfortable if he bowled in an all-pace attack, as his bowling workload would be lighter, especially if selectors decided Lyon was surplus to requirements for the pink-ball game.

Lyon was omitted from Australia’s most recent day-night Test in Jamaica in July and bowled just a single over in last year’s pink-ball Test in Adelaide against India. He did, however, bowl 50 overs in the last day-night Test at the Gabba in 2024, though Smith indicated he was not yet certain of Lyon’s guaranteed place in the XI.

"I'm not sure. We'll look at the surface, as I said, and we'll sum things up from there. And I think here's a place where Nathan's done really well in the past. He's a quality bowler. But we'll weigh up the options and we'll see how we go,” said Smith.

The Gabba surface has appeared very green in the lead-up to the Test match. Warm and dry weather is forecast for Brisbane during the first three days of the game.

"It's still quite grassy, a little soft. It's obviously going to bake under the sun again today, and I think [the curator] is going to take a little bit off it, so it might look a little bit different in a couple hours' time,” Smith concluded.