Summary:
- Will Jacks will replace injured Mark Wood in England’s lineup for the Gabba Test, marking his first Test in three years.
- Jacks offers spin and batting depth, giving England flexibility depending on whether Edwin Diaz remains in the squad.
- Australia’s Usman Khawaja is ruled out with back spasms, keeping Travis Head as opener, while England aim to break their Gabba winless streak since 1986.
England are making a change for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, bringing Will Jacks back into the lineup for his first Test appearance in three years.
The 27-year-old will replace the injured Mark Wood, who pulled up sore after bowling only 11 overs in the opening match in Perth. With Wood unavailable, England wanted a spin option who could also add something with the bat, and Jacks fit that need better than Shoaib Bashir for this particular match.
Pope on Jacks: “It’s a Great Opportunity for His Red-Ball”
The Chertsey-born hasn’t played much red-ball cricket lately, and his inclusion in the Ashes squad raised a few eyebrows, but the coaches see value in what he brings. Despite being known mainly for his white-ball work, he has shown he can make an impact in Tests, including the six wickets he took on debut in Rawalpindi.
His Surrey teammate Ollie Pope said the group has full confidence in him.
Everyone knows what a brilliant cricketer he is. The way he’s grown over the last few years, we’ve seen his white-ball game really go forward. It’s a great opportunity for his red-ball, too.
England also know that spinners can still play a role in day-night Tests. Nathan Lyon’s success with the pink ball is a good example. Ben Stokes pointed out that Australia often use Lyon in different ways depending on the match situation.
How they use their spinner as an attacking option, or more to get through the overs quicker to have more time with the new ball under lights, there’s both those elements to consider.
Aussie Usman Khawaja, Still Out
On the Australian side, Usman Khawaja has been ruled out with the back spasms he picked up in Perth, leaving Travis Head to continue opening after his century in the first Test. With no replacement brought into the squad, either Josh Inglis or Beau Webster will have a chance to step in.
Missing out is tough for Bashir, who had been England’s first-choice spinner since last summer. He hasn’t played since breaking his finger in July and struggled in the warm-up match, but the decision still stings. The coaches expect him to have a role later in the series, but for now the opportunity belongs to Jacks.
England haven’t won at the Gabba since 1986, and their recent record in Australia is bleak. Still, the team insists history won’t shape how they approach Thursday’s match. As Pope put it,
It’s just trying not to think too much about the history of it… and making sure we put our skills forward.
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