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Will Jacks back in England XI after three years for second Ashes Test

Written by Vipin Darwade

Will Jacks will play his first Test in three years after England included a spin option for the second Ashes Test against Australia in Brisbane.

The off-spinner takes the place of injured pace bowler Mark Wood in the only change from the side beaten heavily in the first Test in Perth.

The 27-year-old is selected ahead of Shoaib Bashir for the day-night match at the Gabba partly because his batting ability offers England more depth at number eight.

Meanwhile, Australia opener Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of the pink-ball Test at the Gabba after failing to recover from the back spasms he suffered in Perth.

The absence of the 38-year-old clears the way for Travis Head to continue opening the batting following his match-winning century in the first Test.

Australia have not called a replacement into their squad, with Leeds-born batter Josh Inglis set to come into the side.

The home side have also not ruled out a shock return for captain Pat Cummins, who missed the first Test with a back injury and is not officially in the squad for this match.

However, Cummins has taken part in training in Brisbane and there appears to be a chance he could return to the team on Thursday.

“I’d love to see him out there playing,” said fellow fast bowler Scott Boland.

“He looked in red-hot form the other night. It’s as good as you’ll see a fast bowler charging in the nets. We know how good he is, he’s the best bowler in the world.

“We want him out there as desperately as everyone else does. I’m not sure a decision has been made on that yet.”

Jacks was a left-field inclusion in England’s Ashes squad and gets the opportunity to win a third Test cap despite focusing heavily on white-ball cricket in recent years.

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Vipin Darwade