Captain Cummins progressing well for Ashes return
Oliver Caffrey |
Australia remain coy on when captain Pat Cummins will return from a back injury to play in the Ashes.
Already ruled out for at least the first Test in Perth, the star quick is starting to increase his bowling loads after only picking up a ball again last week.
There were initial fears Cummins’ entire summer could be wiped out, but the 32-year-old is eyeing a return in the second or third Test.
Cummins was able to bowl on Wednesday, backing up a session he did on Tuesday.
He will join the squad in Perth to support the team and build up his fitness.
“The feedback is it’s progressing positively,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said after announcing the Ashes squad on Wednesday.
“Back-to-back sessions is a nice little step up and that’ll just keep building.
“There hasn’t been a setback as that starts to ramp up physically, and all those different movement stuff that he’s been required to do.”
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will lead the pace attack in Cummins’ absence, with Scott Boland to keep his spot after taking a hat-trick in Australia’s previous Test in July.
Australia are hoping allrounder Cameron Green can bowl up to 20 overs for Western Australia in his next Sheffield Shield match.
Fellow allrounder Beau Webster is a chance to retain his spot and can bowl medium pace or off-spin.
Uncapped pair Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have received call-ups to the 15-man squad.
They could both be in the frame given Australia may have to rotate their quicks on tight turnarounds later in the series.
The age of Australia’s quicks – Boland (36), Starc (35) and Hazlewood (34) – could also be a factor.
Former England captain Mike Atherton said facing Boland will hold “no fears” for the tourists compared to if Cummins was available.
Bailey has also kept the door ajar for Queensland bowling allrounder Michael Neser to add to his two Tests this summer, particularly at the Gabba for the day-night match.
Cummins is due to speak to the media in Sydney on Thursday at a launch for the Seven Network’s summer of cricket.
AAP
