Cummins resumes bowling in push for Ashes return
Pat Cummins has taken the first step in his race to return for the Ashes by bowling for the first time since his injury layoff. The Australian Test captain delivered a brief net session off a five-step run-up at Cricket New South Wales’ Silverwater facility on Wednesday, marking a tentative but encouraging milestone in his recovery.
According to multiple reports, Cummins was closely observed by physiotherapist Patrick Farhart and strength and conditioning coach Dean McNamara during the session. The 32-year-old has not featured in any competitive cricket since mid-July, when he last played in Australia’s Test series in the West Indies. He was later diagnosed with a lumbar stress injury in September after reporting back soreness on his return home.
Cummins has already been ruled out of the first Ashes Test against England, which begins November 21 in Perth. However, there is growing optimism that he could return in time for the second match in Brisbane on December 4.
McDonald outlines cautious roadmap for Cummins’ return
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald provided insight into the timeline the team is working with for Cummins’ return to full fitness.
“We flagged this a week or so ago, that it would take sort of four-plus weeks to get him up and running,” Andrew McDonald, Australia Coach, said
Despite acknowledging that the opening Test would come too soon, McDonald expressed confidence in Cummins’ availability for the second match of the five-Test series.
“We’ve run out of time [for the first Test] unfortunately, but really optimistic and hopeful for the second Test match,” he continued.
The coach stressed that while there is no definitive timeline, getting Cummins back into bowling was the key step the team had been waiting for.
“The next question is, what’s the time frame, what does it look like for the second Test? [I am] not really going to be able to answer that, other than to say that he’ll be back bowling this week, and that’s a huge step,” he added.
“That was the big variable that we wanted to add in and get that information. So we’re on the journey to that second Test and very hopeful that that will be a positive outcome,” he continued.
No guarantees as Australia manage return with care
McDonald made it clear that Cummins’ readiness would depend on how his body responds to this latest phase of his recovery.
“We will see how he pulls up and then we’ll make decisions moving forward,” he stated.
“With the nature of this injury, it’s never going to be a clear time frame … I would never put the medical team under that sort of duress either,” he added.
With Steve Smith set to lead the side in Cummins’ absence for the series opener and Scott Boland likely to join Starc and Hazlewood in the pace attack, Australia’s selectors will be watching Cummins’ progress closely.
For now, the short net session is a promising sign — but his return to Ashes action will ultimately depend on how he pulls up in the coming days.
