Cummins, Lyon likely for Adelaide, but what about Khawaja?

Australia's two victories have come about in no small part because of a pair of positive opening stands between Jake Weatherald and Travis Head. It was an accidental pairing in Perth but they got a second chance in Brisbane when Usman Khawaja was ruled out with his back problems. Khawaja's form was under scrutiny heading into this series and this enforced absence has come at a bad time.

There is a huge decision ahead. George Bailey, the chair of selectors, said during the Brisbane Test that they hadn't got to the stage of discussing Khawaja's position because he was never passed fit. Head's move to the top continues to divide opinion, largely because of the impact he has had at No. 5. He was scratchy early on the second day at the Gabba, getting a life on 3 when dropped by Jamie Smith, but was starting to open up when he got a leading edge to mid-on.

Josh Inglis was Khawaja's replacement for the second Test. His 23 was a little skittish, with multiple edges through the cordon, before he was bowled by Ben Stokes, although he was batting during the tricky night session. He certainly added to Australia's fielding. His run out of Stokes on the first day was a critical moment in the game.

"I just can't see how Australia would change that top order right now with Head and Weatherald," Aaron Finch told ESPN. "They look like a good opening partnership together, that they've got the rapport which you need at the top of the order. Josh Inglis played well, he got a good ball in the first innings."

Marnus Labuschagne, who is batting at No. 3, has enjoyed following in the slipstream of the new opening pair. "Weathers has come in for the first time, and the way he's gone about it has just set the tone at the top," he said "I just feel like that momentum is sort of dripping through to the rest of the order. It's been nice to come off the back of momentum and be able to put the bowlers under pressure from the start of my innings. So I've really enjoyed that. But once again, it's each game on its own, trying to read the conditions and read what the team needs."

Earlier this season, Steve Waugh said that Bailey and his panel hadn't been willing to make tough calls. They made one in Brisbane with Nathan Lyon's omission. It was vindicated by Michael Neser's superb performance, but Bailey has already confirmed Lyon will definitely play in Adelaide.

Lyon has been left out from two of Australia's last three Tests and though they were pink-ball games, this one at the Gabba in particular has shone a light on the changing role he has been able to play. Last season he bowled his fewest overs in a home season and the tempo of matches has meant the game has shifted away from the lengthy holding spells Lyon used to be so important for. However, a day game in Adelaide could change that.

"It's probably just highlighted with Gaz [Lyon], because there's been years where he has had his ability to bowl long spells, go two an over, do all that sort of stuff and hold things down, and it just hasn't quite panned out that way," Bailey said. "But when it suits and the time's right, that will still be the case, I imagine."

Finch said: "Nathan Lyon absolutely comes straight back in. That's not even a question. I didn't think it was a question that we even needed to ask in the lead up to this Test match and I was proven wrong there, but he comes back in and it's probably Brendan Doggett that goes out."

Pat Cummins was very close to playing at the Gabba, but the need to manage his overs was the deciding factor. However, every indication is that he will be ready for the third Test, which had always seemed the likely return point.

"I should be right for Adelaide," Cummins said on Kayo Sports. "I'll have one more bowl [on Sunday] and then we'll go to Adelaide and have another bowl there. Barring any hiccups, I'll be good to go and the body feels great."

If Cummins does return as expected, the question will then be how many of the final three matches he is able to play. During the earlier stages of his rehab, he said back-to-back games could be a stretch and from Adelaide onwards, the series becomes much more condensed with just a four-day gap to Melbourne and another four to Sydney if those matches go the distance. Australia could well have wrapped up the Ashes before Christmas, but important World Test Championship points will still be at stake.

Cummins will resume the captaincy, but Steven Smith has been tactically very impressive, especially in Adelaide, and will likely remain a key sounding board.

If Cummins and Lyon both return, it means two bowlers need to make way. Neser could not have done much more at the Gabba - and there's long been a hashtag of #NeserMustPlay - but he could shape as the unlucky omission. However, there is potentially a scenario where the selectors rest Scott Boland, with an eye on having him refreshed for Boxing Day at the MCG, although 57 overs in two matches is not a huge workload and the first priority will likely be winning the Ashes at the earliest possible moment.

Doggett, meanwhile, has taken seven wickets in his first two Tests and sent down some hardworking spells for short deliveries during the Brisbane Test.

"When you look at the Australian side being 2-0 up and you say, is the next team going to be stronger? The answer is probably yes," Finch said. "So there's some really good selection headaches for Australia leading into the Adelaide Test."