Overview
- An extended Ashes group is expected to be named mid‑week, with Cummins to travel to Perth as he rebuilds bowling loads despite being out of the first Test.
- Travis Head has been released from the final two T20Is to play Sheffield Shield for South Australia against Tasmania from November 10 as red‑ball preparation.
- Marnus Labuschagne struck his fifth century in eight innings for Queensland, intensifying pressure for a Test recall and leaving options to open or bat at No. 3.
- Most likely first‑Test candidates will tune up in Sheffield Shield and One‑Day Cup matches, reflecting a concerted focus on red‑ball readiness before November 21.
- England’s Test squad and Lions players have begun arriving in Perth for training, with one three‑day warm‑up against the Lions and coach Brendon McCullum insisting white‑ball struggles are not a concern.