Sydney ¨C Injured Australia captain Pat Cummins hinted on Thursday at a comeback for the second Ashes test, a day after the side unveiled its squad ahead of this month¡¯s opener.
The 32-year-old pace spearhead has not played since picking up a lower back injury against the West Indies more than three months ago.
¡°It¡¯s all feeling really good,¡± Cummins said. ¡°On track and yeah, probably better than I expected.
¡°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.¡±
¡°It¡¯s probably not until you get a bit closer that you can really know where you¡¯re at.
¡°It¡¯s trying to keep that second test as a real live option,¡± he said of the day-night contest in Brisbane on Dec. 4.
Late last month, Cummins¡¯ tentative return was rumored after he was spotted in a brief net session in Sydney captured by local television cameras, bowling off a five-step run-up.
Cummins will travel with the Australian side for the first test against Ben Stokes¡¯ England in Perth from Nov. 21.
Steve Smith will step up as Australia captain, with the ever-reliable Scott Boland to replace Cummins in the seam attack alongside quick bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
England drew 2-2 on home turf in the most recent Ashes series in 2023 but have not won in Australia since 2010-11.
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