England can breathe a sigh of relief.
The Australian selectors have made a pair of tough calls, passing on the 11th-hour decision to bring back Pat Cummins and dropping veteran spinner Nathan Lyon for the second Ashes Test against England at the Gabba.
Brendan Doggett, who was the likely exclusion for Cummins, holds his place while Lyon has now been omitted for the second time in three matches.
Lyon was overlooked for local fast-bowler Michael Neser, who will be another threatening swing option under lights and lengthen the Australian batting order.
Neser plays his Sheffield Shield cricket at the Gabba and has taken 99 wickets at an impressive average of 20 at the venue.
Cummins missed the first Test in Perth with a back stress fracture but has looked near his best for the past week.
He gave a strong indication he would play when he started bowling with the same pink ball used for this specific Test.
Travis Head will remain at the top of the order after his fierce cameo in the second innings in Perth and Josh Inglis will bat at No.7.
“I think (the fans) will get what they want if that’s what they want,” Head told Kayo Sports’ live Ashes coverage of his position in the order.
‘It looks like I’ll pretty obviously open the batting, so I’ve prepared that way.
“Preparation hasn’t really changed too much depending on where I’ve played, (but) I’ve been fortunate enough to open a lot in international cricket and white ball format … so I’m looking forward to that challenge.”
Inglis, who lived in England until he was a teenager, has played three Test matches but this will be his first on Australian soil.
Beau Webster can consider himself unlucky after averaging 35 with the bat and 24 with the ball across his seven Test matches.
“He was close, he’s done everything right,” Steve Smith said at the toss.
“(Inglis) will be batting in the middle order, Michael Neser is in for Nathan Lyon … pink ball, we think it’s going to offer quite a bit.”
England won the toss and have elected to bat first.
