Steve Smith confirms Pat Cummins' unavailability as England opt to bat in 2nd Ashes Test

England have won the toss and opted to bat [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, England have won the toss and elected to bat first in the second Ashes Test at the Gabba on Thursday. 

In terms of team changes, England had already confirmed their playing XI on Tuesday. They made just one adjustment from Perth, bringing in spinning all-rounder Will Jacks to replace the injured Mark Wood. 

Despite arriving in Brisbane with momentum and the memory of their dramatic escape in Perth, Australia know they must avoid repeating past lapses.

Meanwhile, England, bruised but still believing, enter this Test knowing they had Australia under pressure twice in the series opener. With Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ollie Pope expected to anchor the innings, and Ben Stokes urging calm over impulse, England will look to pair their aggression with better game management.

AUS vs ENG: Captain’s Thoughts

Ben Stokes (England's Skipper): "We’re going to have a bat first. With a day-night Test, you get different phases of conditions, and batting earlier usually gives you the slightly easier period before the lights take effect, so the decision felt pretty straightforward.

It’s been a long twelve days since the last game, and the lads are refreshed, prepped, and ready to go again. Looking at the surface - honestly, I’m not too sure how it’ll play. You can guess from how it looks, but you only really understand it once the game starts and a bit of cricket is played on it."

Steve Smith (Australia Skipper): "We would have batted first as well. If you bat well, you have a chance to manipulate the game under lights with the ball in hand.

He (Pat Cummins) was close. He has done everything right in the last week. Just thought it might be a bit risky to play him in this Test."

AUS vs ENG: Playing XIs

Australia Playing XI: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Brendan Doggett.

England Playing XI: ⁠Zak Crawley, ⁠Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, ⁠Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, ⁠Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer

More to follow...