Australia received a significant boost ahead of the second Ashes Test as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were spotted hitting the nets with the pink ball in Sydney on Tuesday (November 25). The duo, who missed the series opener in Perth due to injury concerns, looked sharp in training, raising strong expectations of their return for the day-night Test at The Gabba from December 4 to 8.
Their absence in the first Test forced Australia to rely on Brendan Doggett and Scott Boland, both of whom stepped up impressively. Doggett claimed three wickets in England’s second innings, while Boland picked up four, ensuring Australia remained competitive even without two of their premier quicks.
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If Pat Cummins is declared fit, he is expected to resume captaincy duties from Steve Smith. The fast bowler last represented Australia in July 2025, and his comeback could significantly strengthen the Australian attack, especially under Brisbane’s lights, where the pink ball traditionally swings more.
Positive signs for Australia as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are put through their paces in Sydney on Tuesday morning 👀#WTC27 | #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/8NL42eLxn2
— ICC (@ICC) November 25, 2025
Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc was the standout performer in the opening Test, delivering a sensational 10-wicket match haul. His figures of 7 for 58 in England’s first innings and 3 for 55 in the second earned him the Player of the Match award in a contest that wrapped up inside two days.
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Heading into the Gabba Test, Starc stands on the brink of history. The left-arm pacer needs just three more wickets to surpass Wasim Akram’s tally of 414 Test wickets and become the most successful left-arm fast bowler ever. Akram achieved his tally in 104 matches, while Starc has already collected 402 wickets in 101 Tests and continues to be a dominant force in pink-ball cricket.
With Cummins and Hazlewood likely returning and Starc chasing a landmark, Australia’s pace battery is gearing up for another high-impact outing in the Ashes.
