‘Better than I expected’: Cummins’ positive news set to unsettle England ahead of Ashes

Pat Cummins has his sights set firmly on a return for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, saying his recovery from a back injury is tracking better than expected.

A day after Australia named its squad for the series opener in Perth on November 21, Cummins delivered a dose of good news for fans by confirming his bowling return is going well and that he is hopeful of playing a major role in this blockbuster summer.

Cummins has been managing a lower-back stress injury and bowled for the first time last week since the West Indies tour in July.

Speaking at a Channel Seven summer of cricket event in Sydney, the 32-year-old said he bowled “seven or eight overs” at “three-quarter pace” on Wednesday.

The second Test against England, a pink ball day-night fixture, starts in just under four weeks’ time on December 4 in Brisbane.

“It’s all feeling really good. On track and, yeah, probably better than I expected,” Cummins told reporters. “Each session is incremental. Once I get over to Perth, I should be pretty close to a full run-up and getting some overs in.

“No stress so far. That doesn’t guarantee anything, but all the signs look pretty good so far. I feel like we’ve got a good plan and hopefully I can take part in a fair bit of the summer.”

Cummins was not named in Australia’s squad for the first Test but will travel with the group next week and is pushing to play in Brisbane.

Scott Boland is set to line up alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in Perth, while Steve Smith will captain the side in Cummins’ absence.

“It’s probably not until you get a bit closer that you can really know where you’re at,” Cummins said. “It’s trying to keep that second Test as a real live option.”

“I’m there as a sounding board. Smithy is the captain and he’ll have the final say. I won’t be getting in the way.”

Cummins said he may avoid back-to-back matches if required to bowl heavy spells, and that he would be comfortable returning to the Test setup purely on net form and centre wicket practice.

Players will have at least eight days of full rest after Brisbane before the third Test in Adelaide on December 17.

The dream scenario for Australia would be for Cummins to bowl minimal overs in a short Test in Brisbane. The greater concern is the back-to-back nature of Tests three to four, and four to five.

“I think realistically, if you have a big game, bowling 40 or 50 overs, and there’s a game starting a few days later, it probably might be a bridge too far,” Cummins said. “If I get right, hopefully I can try and play as much of them as I can.

“It’s quite a meticulous, mapped-out plan. It’s all on track. The good thing is that I’m pulling up well. Body feels great. You kind of tick off a session and make sure you’re right for the next one. I haven’t had any hiccups.

“I’m comfortable just doing nets. We’ll obviously try and simulate as much as we can, try and get some centre wickets and have some really good hit-outs where we’ll try and simulate spells. Maybe bowling in the morning and afternoon. It might not be a game but as close to simulated as possible.”

Cummins is hopeful all-rounder Cameron Green can bowl plenty of overs in the upcoming Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia next week as he aims to prove his fitness. If Green is able to bowl, Beau Webster could be squeezed out of the XI.

“I haven’t spoken to him, but I know he’s going to bowl this Shield game, so hopefully, he’ll be right,” Cummins said. “He’s a huge asset whenever he can bowl. I don’t think it’s the most important thing in the world [for Green to be bowling]. Just recently in the West Indies he couldn’t bowl.”

Asked about the inclusion of uncapped opening batsman Jake Weatherald in the 15-man squad, Cummins said: “Jake’s been really impressive in Shield cricket the last couple of seasons. Lots of runs on some tough wickets as well. Really great to see him get his first Aussie squad selection.

“Someone coming into the side, off the back of a lot of really positive performances, is only a good thing. If he does get a chance, he doesn’t have to look too far back to times when he’s done well.”

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