Australia’s chair of selectors is “really confident” that captain Pat Cummins will play a “major part” in the upcoming Ashes series against England.
The 32-year-old has not bowled since Australia’s 3-0 series defeat of West Indies in July because of a stress injury in his back. Cummins had admitted he was unlikely to play in the Ashes opener in Perth on 21 November, with the clock running down on the bowler’s chances of recovery.
However, selectors’ chief George Bailey said: “We know time is getting short and there’s permutations around that, not just around the back, but other factors as well. It’s positive. [We are] really confident that he’s going to play a major part. Hopefully it’s the first Test. If not, then we’ll pick it up.”
Bailey added that Cummins is “building up” and was “optimistic” about his chances. “We know time is getting short and there’s permutations around that, not just around the back, but other factors as well,” Bailey said. “It’s positive. [We are] really confident that he’s going to play a major part. Hopefully it’s the first Test. If not, then we’ll pick it up.”
Bailey also confirmed that Steve Smith would step up to lead the Test team in Cummins’ absence during this winter’s Ashes. “If Pat doesn’t play, Smudge [Steve Smith] will captain. That’s business as usual for us. That formula has worked.
“Regardless of whether he’s playing, Pat’s keen to be around because if he’s not playing he’ll be rehabbing and getting ready and bowling, so he’ll be with the team anyway.”
Cummins was forced to miss Australia’s recent limited-overs series against New Zealand and India but said earlier this week that he was not in serious pain. “I’m actually feeling really good at the moment,” the Test skipper said on Monday.
“A few of the symptoms hung around for a little bit longer than I would have liked, but they’re all gone now. So I’m just trying to kind of increase the workload and make sure the body’s responding well.”
