Brisbane, Dec 4 (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.
In the first game of the series, Stokes also won the toss and batted first, but on Day 2, they lost by eight wickets.
Thursday’s day-night test at the Gabba was scheduled to start in warm, sunny weather, with Australia’s all-pace bowling attack using the pink ball first.
In remembrance of former England batter Robin Smith, who passed away this week in Perth, Australia, players from both teams wore black armbands.
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.
Lineup
Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Brendan Doggett, and Scott Boland are the Australian lineups.
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, captain Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Jofra Archer are all from England.