Australian selectors face a pivotal 24 hours as the final preparation of the Gabba pitch will directly shape the XI to face England in the second Ashes Test, starting this Thursday. With the wicket set to be cut at 3pm local time on Wednesday, stand-in captain Steve Smith confirmed the surface's condition is the final piece of the selection puzzle.
Pitch Condition and Selection Headaches
Smith described the current Gabba strip as "still quite grassy, a little soft", leaving all options open for the think tank. The state of the pitch will heavily influence the balance of the side, particularly the decision on whether to include a frontline spinner.
Josh Inglis is confirmed to slot into the middle order, while Travis Head will retain his place at the top of the batting lineup following Usman Khawaja's injury. However, the major questions surround the bowling attack.
Cummins' Fitness and Lyon's Spot Under Scrutiny
The potential return of captain Pat Cummins from a back injury remains the biggest talking point. Smith reported that Cummins "looks pretty good" in the nets but cautioned that "games are different", highlighting ongoing concerns over his ability to bowl through a full Test match after a lengthy layoff.
Should Cummins be deemed fit, his inclusion could come at the expense of veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon bowled just two overs in the first Test, and his role with the pink ball at the Gabba is unclear. "He's a quality bowler but we'll weigh up the options and see how we go," Smith said, while acknowledging Lyon's strong past record at the venue.
Smith's Tactical Tweaks and Eye for Detail
Smith revealed he will wear special eye stickers to combat glare under the Gabba lights, a tip he sought from West Indies legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul. "He thinks it blocks out 65 per cent of the glare," Smith said, adding with a laugh that Chanderpaul had informed him he'd been wearing them incorrectly in training.
On tactics, Smith disagreed with teammates' views that batting orders are overrated, but conceded the unique nature of pink-ball cricket could lead to flexibility. "I think pink ball, anything's possible. We've been pretty open in the past maybe having two nightwatchmen," he stated, emphasising the need to adapt to the game situation.
With the pitch cut imminent, Australia's strategy for the day-night encounter will soon be set in stone, as they aim to seize the initiative in the series.
