12/03/25 09:59:00
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12/03 21:54 CST England wins the toss and Stokes opts to bat first against
Australia in 2nd Ashes cricket test.
England wins the toss and Stokes opts to bat first against Australia in 2nd
Ashes cricket test.
By JOHN PYE
AP Sports Writer
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) --- Ben Stokes won the toss again and opted again to
bat first in the second test, aiming to get England's Ashes campaign on track
after a lopsided loss in Perth.
Stokes also won the toss and batted first in the series-opening match but ended
up losing by eight wicket on Day 2.
The day-night test at the Gabba was set to begin in warm, sunny conditions
Thursday, with Australia's all-pace bowling attack getting first use of the
pink ball.
Players from both teams wore black arm bands in honor of former England batter
Robin Smith, who died this week in Perth, Australia.
Australia recalled Michael Neser at the expense of veteran spinner Nathan Lyon,
with stand-in skipper Steve Smith saying the conditions in Brisbane were more
favorable to seam bowling.
Australia is aiming to continue a long unbeaten streak in Ashes matches at the
Gabba, where England last won a test in 1986.
Both teams made injury-enforced changes, with Australia opening bat Usman
Khawaja ruled out because of back problems that curtailed his participation in
Perth and England paceman Mark Wood out with a knee injury and replaced by Will
Jacks.
Josh Inglis was recalled to bat in the middle order, and Travis Head was
retained as an opener after his match-winning performance in Perth.
Neser's selection ended speculation about injured skipper Pat Cummins being
rushed back into Australia's the lineup from outside the match squad.
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Lineups:
Australia: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith
(captain), Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Michael Neser, Mitchell
Starc, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland.
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben
Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra
Archer.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
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