BRISBANE, Australia — Australia captain Pat Cummins will miss the second Ashes Test against England starting Thursday at the Gabba, with selectors naming an unchanged squad as the star fast bowler continues his recovery from a back injury .

The decision means Steve Smith will again lead the side after captaining Australia to an eight-wicket victory in the first Test in Perth . Cummins, 32, has not played since July and will remain with the squad in Brisbane to continue his rehabilitation from a lumbar back stress injury .

Squad Stability and Captaincy

The 14-man squad announced Friday is identical to the group that secured a 1-0 series lead in Perth . This provides stability but leaves open several selection questions for the day-night Test.

Smith continues his role as stand-in captain in Cummins' absence. The team's leadership has expressed confidence in this arrangement, focusing on maintaining momentum from their comprehensive first-Test performance .

Cummins' Recovery Progress

Despite extensive net sessions, including a lengthy bowling spell with a pink ball at the SCG on Friday, Cummins has not completed the required rehabilitation program . He bowled to teammate Steve Smith for over an hour, showing promising signs, but team management opted for caution rather than rushing his return .

The extended recovery period gives Cummins nearly three additional weeks to prepare for a potential return in the third Test in Adelaide beginning Dec. 17 . Team officials have emphasized they will not risk their premier fast bowler until he is fully fit .

Bowling Attack and Debutant's Chance

With Cummins still unavailable, debutant Brendan Doggett appears likely to retain his place after taking five wickets in Perth . The pace attack will again be led by Mitchell Starc, who claimed ten wickets and player of the match honors in the first Test .

The unchanged squad means Josh Hazlewood also remains unavailable as he recovers from a hamstring injury suffered before the series . Coach Andrew McDonald has stated he expects Hazlewood to play "some part" in the series later on .

Team Selection Considerations

Several selection dilemmas remain unresolved ahead of Thursday's pink-ball Test. Veteran opener Usman Khawaja retains his place in the squad despite back spasms that limited his role in Perth, but his fitness will need to be proven when the squad assembles in Brisbane .

Travis Head's spectacular 123 from 83 balls after being promoted to open in Khawaja's absence has prompted debate about whether the move should become permanent . Should Head continue at the top, it could create a middle-order vacancy for either Josh Inglis or all-rounder Beau Webster .

Historical Context and Series Implications

Australia's record in day-night Tests provides encouraging context for the upcoming match. The hosts have lost only one of their 14 previous pink-ball Tests and have beaten England in all three Ashes day-nighters .

The Gabba has been a fortress for Australia in Ashes cricket, with the team undefeated in Brisbane since 1986 . A victory would put Australia within touching distance of retaining the Urn, placing significant pressure on England to respond .

England arrives in Brisbane after opting against sending their first-Test players for pink-ball match practice, instead scheduling extra training sessions under lights . The tourists need a victory to level the series after their second-innings collapse in Perth .

For Australia, the focus remains on building their series lead while managing key player workloads. The careful approach with Cummins reflects long-term planning for the five-Test series, with team management prioritizing having their captain fully fit for the crucial later matches .