Ashes Newsfile

Already ruled out of the eagerly anticipated opener in Perth, starting on November 21, Cummins is shaping as a genuine chance to feature in the day-night Test at the Gabba.

Cummins this week conceded playing unchanged from the second Test until the end of the series was unlikely given he is recovering from stress in his back.

Smith will take charge against England in Perth with Pat Cummins ruled out due to his back injury. He has done the role on six previous occasions since 2021-22 when Cummins took over, winning five of those Test. There is still a good chance he will need to do more than one Test in the series.

He did not captain NSW in the previous round against Queensland, where he scored a century in his first innings since late August, and has not led the state for eight years. It's understood the switch is one Edwards was happy to accommodate for a one-off game. When Edwards was on Australia A duty for the opening round of the Shield, Nathan Lyon captained NSW for the first time.

Green hasn't bowled at Test level since coming back for the WTC final, after he missed a year due to a serious back injury. The 26-year-old hasn't batted at No. 6, or lower, since 2023 but could be forced there unless selectors opt to open with Labuschagne instead of blooding Weatherald.

"I would very much like to see Weatherald play," Taylor said. "I would like to see Weatherald and [Usman] Khawaja open, Marnus at three, [Steve] Smith, Head, and then you've got the question mark.