The Ashes: Live coverage of Day 1 of the second Test between Australia and England at the Gabba

There’s a hush over the Gabba as both teams take a moment to respect the great England batter who passed away earlier this week.

Australia have listed him below Alex Carey which makes it four different batting positions in his four Tests.

“I’m still a bit surprised by it, to be fair. With the pink ball, you never know how it’s going to react on a surface and Nathan Lyon’s record at The Gabba, at Perth, when he gets extra bounce, he somebody who is not a defensive option, he still finds a way to attacking, even when all the conditions are not in his favour,” he says.

Simon Katich concurs with his assessment.

“I am shocked because the last time Nathan Lyon didn’t play a Test in Australia was back in 2012 at the WACA. A long time ago.

“He has had a big role to play in Pink Ball Test in Adelaide or the Gabba. Just looking at this surface, It looks a good batting surface so I would expect when the ball gets to 30-40 overs old it will be hard work for the seamers and we know England like to play an aggressive style of game, so you need to change the tempo of the innings and the tempo of your bowling.”

Ben Stokes calls correctly, and the tourists will bat first in Brisbane.

Steve Smith confirms no Cummins and no Lyon. “(Cummins) was close... we just thought it might have been a little bit risky this game.”

AUSTRALIAN LINE-UP:

• Travis Head
• Jake Weatherald
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Steve Smith
• Josh Inglis
• Cam Green
• Alex Carey
• Michael Neser
• Mitchell Starc
• Scott Boland
• Brendan Doggett

ENGLAND LINE-UP:

• Zak Crawley
• Ben Duckett
• Ollie Pope
• Joe Root
• Harry Brook
• Ben Stokes
• Jamie Smith
• Will Jacks
• Gus Atkinson
• Brydon Carse
• Jofra Archer

Here we go! The captains are walking out to the middle - and the Aussie skipper is Steve Smith and NOT Pat Cummins.

The two teams will take in a moment’s silence before the national anthems, and sport black armbands, to honour the memory of Robin Smith.

The former England favourite passed away in Perth this week, aged 62.

Ricky Ponting on Seven’s coverage about the likely prospect of no Nathan Lyon:

“This is Michael Neser’s home ground and he knows the conditions really, really well. But for someone like Nathan Lyon who is such a seasoned professional with a good record at the Gabba, I think it’s a massive call for the Aussies to make.”

Stuart Broad went even further: “I can’t believe it... I’m really surprised by it. If I was Nathan Lyon right now, I’d be quite frustrated”.

If Michael Neser is confirmed at the toss as expected, it’ll mark a return to the Test arena, three years to the week since his most recent appearance.

The 35-year-old has played just two Tests - both day-nights - and is looking to add a third here.

Josh Inglis is in the slips cordon warming up in the field and is a lock to feature.

Half-an-hour out from the toss, the early indications are that this will be Australia’s XI:

• Travis Head
• Jake Weatherald
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Steve Smith
• Josh Inglis
• Cam Green
• Alex Carey
• Michael Neser
• Mitchell Starc
• Scott Boland
• Brendan Doggett

Head confirms on the broadcast that he’ll open the batting, as he did in the second innings in Perth to great effect.

Are we being handed some clues as to the final make-up of the Aussie attack?

Brendan Doggett is marking out his run-up at the Gabba as he looks to hold his spot following his debut in Perth.

Scott Boland and Michael Neser are also marking out their run-ups. Are we about to see a four-man pace attack of Starc / Boland / Doggett / Neser, with Nathan Lyon missing out?