Usi done? Inglis steps up. Plus, Jacks in for Wood. Test 2 Preview!

As the Ashes moves to the Gabba for a pink-ball clash, the conversation shifts to selection surprises, injury concerns, and England’s unconventional preparation. Hosts Steven O’Keefe and Moises Henriques preview a pivotal second Test that could either see Australia tighten their grip or England find a way back into the series.

The Khawaja injury and "new blood"

With Usman Khawaja ruled out due to a back injury, the Australian side turns to Josh Inglis. Henriques and O’Keefe discuss the "fluidity" of the batting lineup, with O’Keefe assuming Travis Head will remain at the top after his Perth heroics while Inglis slots into the middle order. O’Keefe reflects on Khawaja’s potential future, suggesting that if this new partnership succeeds, the veteran might find it difficult to reclaim his spot. "It’s just a [terrible] way to go out for let’s be honest," O’Keefe remarks, noting the irony of Khawaja missing a Test at his home ground in Queensland.

England’s scooter-led preparation

England’s preparation—which includes riding e-scooters around Brisbane and playing golf in Noosa—has raised eyebrows. While Henriques is indifferent to how the players spend their downtime, he admits surprise that more batters didn’t opt to play in the PM's XI warm-up game. "Five-Test tours are long tours... you don’t want the cricket to start feeling like it’s a chore," Henriques says, though he stresses that the proof of their preparation will be in the result.

The "shitter meter" for Perth

O’Keefe and Henriques revisit the Perth pitch after Khawaja labeled it "sh**t." Henriques is more measured, suggesting the wicket was "okay" but that the "fast-forward" nature of the match was driven more by England’s aggressive style. He notes that the Gabba will likely offer similar steep bounce, which could pose a problem for England if they continue to "drive on the up" early in their innings.

Will Jacks and England's "safety net"

England makes one change, bringing in Will Jacks for the injured Mark Wood. O’Keefe views this as a "safe option" that goes against England's usual brash identity, as it lengthens their batting rather than maintaining a four-pronged pace attack. Henriques is particularly surprised that tall off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was overlooked for the Gabba, a ground that typically suits bounce-reliant spinners. "If he’s not going to play the Gabba, I don't know where he’s going to play," Henriques observes.

The pink ball at the Gabba

The hosts warn against the assumption that the pink ball will offer a swing-fest under the lights. Henriques explains that the Gabba's abrasive surface often softens the pink ball quickly, making it a "batter's paradise" unless a team can time their declaration to use a brand-new ball during the twilight period. "You don’t want to be bowling under lights with an old ball up there," he cautions, predicting that tactical declarations will be the key to winning the Test.

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