Overview
- Pat Cummins said he bowled seven to eight overs off a three‑quarter run‑up without pain and is building toward a possible return for the day‑night second Test at the Gabba.
- The Australia captain cautioned he is unlikely to play Tests on short turnarounds if workloads spike, noting consecutive matches could be a bridge too far.
- Steve Smith will captain the Perth opener with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood leading the attack, Scott Boland retained, and uncapped quicks Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett in the 15.
- Jake Weatherald has been included as an opening option next to Usman Khawaja, with George Bailey indicating the final call remains open and Marnus Labuschagne still a potential opener.
- After Steve Waugh questioned selection resolve, Bailey defended the panel’s approach and both Cummins and Nathan Lyon publicly backed the selectors’ handling of transition.