Overview
- The day-night second Test at the Gabba starts Thursday, with reports indicating fast bowler Mark Wood is set to miss out due to left‑knee concerns after skipping England’s first Brisbane training.
- Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts are viable options after Lions duty in Canberra, while some analysis also points to a spin‑batting alternative such as Will Jacks.
- Ben Stokes said critics can call England “rubbish” but argued “arrogant” is too far, defending preparation in Brisbane over a Prime Minister’s XI pink‑ball fixture in Canberra.
- Joe Root downplayed his Perth failures, questioned whether an Ashes needs a pink‑ball Test, and stressed clarity on constructing innings and building partnerships under lights.
- Usman Khawaja condemned the Perth surface as “a piece of shit,” as Cricket Australia cited the ICC’s “very good” rating in a continuing debate over the Optus Stadium pitch.