Overview
- England kept their main squad in Brisbane for extended training rather than sending first-choice players to the Prime Minister's XI pink-ball warm-up in Canberra, a decision Ben Stokes publicly defended.
- Fast bowler Mark Wood missed training with a sore left knee and is set to be unavailable for the second Test, with Josh Tongue viewed as the likely replacement.
- Stuart Broad underscored the importance of the toss under lights at the Gabba, noting Australia have won 13 of their 14 day-night Tests.
- Australia expect Steve Smith to captain again with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood out injured, while Mitchell Starc looms after a 10-wicket match in Perth.
- Usman Khawaja condemned the Perth surface despite the ICC awarding it a 'very good' rating, extending scrutiny of conditions ahead of the pink-ball match.