Australia Captain Set for Crucial Ashes Return
In a significant boost for Australian cricket, skipper Pat Cummins appears poised for inclusion in the squad for the second Ashes Test against England in Brisbane. The fast bowler missed his team's emphatic eight-wicket victory in Perth last weekend due to a troublesome back injury.
According to reports from Code Sports, the 32-year-old has been bowling at full intensity in the nets this week with a pink ball, showing positive signs ahead of the day-night encounter. The Australian squad is scheduled to be officially announced on Friday, with Cummins expected to be named.
Fitness Race for Gabba Showdown
While his squad inclusion seems likely, questions remain about whether Cummins will feature in the starting eleven when Australia takes on England at The Gabba on December 4. Australia coach Andrew McDonald confirmed the New South Wales bowler stands a genuine chance of playing next Thursday.
McDonald emphasised a cautious approach, stating: 'There's a lot of positives there, but now it's just really building that resilience there, and making sure that we're not putting him in harm's way in terms of accelerating it too much.' He added that 'it will be a genuine discussion leading into this Test match, and that may be one that eventuates late for us.'
Double Boost as Hazlewood Also Progresses
Australia received further encouraging news as fellow quick Josh Hazlewood showed promising signs in his recovery from injury. Before the series began, concerns emerged that Hazlewood's hamstring issue might be more serious than initially thought, with speculation about a potential tendon injury that could have ruled him out of the entire Ashes series.
Although no official update on Hazlewood's condition has been provided, the sight of him bowling alongside Cummins suggests he might return to action sooner than anticipated.
Doubts about Cummins' fitness had circulated well before the series commenced. The star bowler previously admitted he feared missing the entire Ashes due to the hot spot in his back - a recurring problem throughout his career.
'It's ebbed and flowed. There were probably times where I thought I wasn't going to play a game,' Cummins revealed during an interview with Kayo. 'So in some ways being in this position I actually feel potentially better than I did a couple of months ago. But it's been tough.'
The Australian captain expressed frustration at missing the action, saying: 'I'd say the hardest thing is just not being out there in the middle. You just want to be in amongst it. The whole cricketing world is watching and you just wish you were out there.'
Regardless of his final fitness status, Cummins will travel with the squad to Brisbane and, according to News Corp, will be given every opportunity to prove his readiness right up until the eve of the second Test.
Selection Dilemma for Australian Management
The likely return of Cummins creates a selection headache, with Brendan Doggett expected to make way if the captain is fit. Doggett, who impressed on his debut in Perth by taking five wickets for 78 runs, stated he's prepared to play if needed.
'Pat is looking pretty good in the nets now so we will see where that lands,' Doggett commented on Thursday. 'I am going to control what I can control, keep ticking the legs over and keep bowling and trying to improve in every session and game. If I get called on in that second Test I feel like I am ready to go again.'
The South Australian revealed he hasn't received any indication from selectors about his potential dropping, noting: 'There have been no conversations whatsoever. We are soaking in the win and letting everyone get back to their families. We arrive in Brisbane on Sunday so I assume conversations will start there about what the line-up looks like for the second Test.'
Reflecting on the dramatic first Test that concluded in just two days, Doggett admitted even he was surprised by the rapid finish and Travis Head's spectacular performance. 'It was a pretty hectic week on and off the field for me. Obviously, it was nice to get the win and watch Travis Head go to town in that fourth innings,' he said. 'I didn't imagine it being a two-day Test and Trav scoring a 69-ball hundred but the crowd and atmosphere were amazing.'
