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Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon did not find a place in the playing eleven for the pink-ball Ashes 2025-26 Test at The Gabba, Brisbane. This is the second time in 2025 Lyon has been benched for a pink-ball Test. Steve Smith made two changes to the side that won the Perth Test within two days.
“If you bat well, you get a chance to manipulate the game. Hopefully we can bowl well. (On Cummins) He was close, he's done everything right. It would have been slightly risky this game. (Inglis' batting position) He'll be batting in the middle-order. Neser is in for Lyon. With the pink ball, it's going to offer a bit more under lights. We've done well in the past, it's a new game. It's going to be a great atmosphere,” Smith said after losing the toss.
In the absence of an injured Usman Khawaja, Josh Inglis has been included in the side. Inglis will bat in the middle order. Lyon has been replaced by Michael Neser. Beau Webster could not find a place in the side despite doing well in Sheffield Shield. With Pat Cummins still on sidelines during his road to recovery, Brendan Doggett has retained his place.
England win toss
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat first. England had announced their playing eleven for the second Test on December 4. An injured Mark Wood has been replaced by Will Jacks. England’s frontline spinner Shoaib Bashir could not find a place in the side either.
"We are gonna have a bat. Different conditions here. You give yourself the best chance when you bat. We've had extra time to build up for this game. The guys are raring and ready to go. I'm not too sure (how the wicket is going to play) to be honest. Lot of people look at the wickets and say it's going to this, it's going to do that, but you never really know till you get out there. We have an opportunity to put some runs on the board first up," Stokes said.
Ashes 2025-26 2nd Test Playing XIs -
Australia Playing XI: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith(c), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett.
England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.
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