Australia captain Pat Cummins has admitted he is “less likely than likely” to be fit for the first Ashes Test against England in Perth, as he continues his recovery from a back injury that has kept him out of action since July.
Cummins, who has not bowled since Australia’s Test series in the Caribbean, is dealing with a lumbar bone stress issue diagnosed in early September. Speaking at Kayo Sports’ Summer of Cricket launch in Sydney on Monday, the fast bowler said he had only just resumed running and would begin bowling preparations next week.
“I’m running today and running kind of every second day, and each run’s a little bit longer,” he said. “I’m probably a couple of weeks away before actually putting on the spikes and bowling out on the turf. But it’s been a good couple of weeks. Each session feels better and better.”
Cummins explained that a return to full match fitness would require at least a month of bowling in the nets, a timeline that leaves him with little room to prepare before the first Test on 21 November.
“If you are to play in a Test match, you want to make sure you are right to bowl 20 overs in a day and you don’t have to think about it. Four weeks is pretty tight, but I think somewhere around that mark.”
Although he acknowledged some frustration at the timing of the injury, Cummins maintained perspective on his run of fitness in recent years.
“Some days I’m kind of annoyed because it’s the Ashes, and it’s a big summer,” he said. “Then other days I’m kind of realistic. I’ve had the last seven or eight years of almost uninterrupted home summers, so I felt like I’ve had a really good run as a fast bowler. Someone like Josh [Hazlewood], he’s been a little bit more unlucky, so maybe it’s my turn.”
Cummins said the back was feeling better after taking longer than expected to settle. He is now focused on gradually increasing workload through gym work and simulated bowling exercises before returning to the nets.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald indicated last week that a decision on Cummins’ availability for the first Test would be made following this week’s training assessments. While Cummins did not speculate on how many Tests he might play in the Ashes, he remained optimistic about playing a role in the series.
“It’s a bit early to know. First steps are trying to give us a shot at being right, and then we’ll work it out a bit closer to time.”
The 32-year-old was also confident the injury would not affect his long-term future, given Australia’s busy schedule in the coming years.
“It’s a back injury that I haven’t had for about seven or eight years, and I’ve played a lot of cricket between that,” he said. “If I get it right, do it properly, when I come back I shouldn’t have to worry about it at all.”
