England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat first in the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, setting the stage for a high-stakes pink-ball contest. The big talking point, however, came from Australia’s selection table — a full pace attack, with no Nathan Lyon in the XI.
Australia confirmed that Michael Neser replaces Lyon, meaning the hosts are going into a home Test without their premier spinner for only the second time since 2012. The decision reflects a clear tactical shift: maximise movement under lights, exploit the Gabba’s seam-friendly surface, and rely on part-timers for spin.
Captain Steven Smith explained that the pink ball and night conditions played a major role in team balance, saying they expect “quite a bit of assistance under lights” and want their strongest fast-bowling group on the park.
England, meanwhile, have backed their batting depth and conditions assessment by taking first strike, hoping to put up a strong first-innings total after last week’s disappointment.
The Gabba has long been Australia’s fortress — and the pace-heavy selection underlines how seriously they’re taking this must-win clash.
