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Australia Test skipper Pat Cummins continues to be uncertain for the first Ashes Test against England at Perth Stadium because of a stress-related lower back pain. Cummins missed out on several months of cricketing activity and is now struggling to get into shape to bowl in competitive cricket.

 

At the Kayo Sports' Summer of Cricket Launch in Sydney on October 13, Cummins said:

 

“I'd say probably less likely than likely. But we've still got a bit of time. I'm running today and running kind of every second day, and each run's a little bit longer, and then we get into bowling prep next week. So, 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' Training and Preparation for Ashes

 

Cummins described the gradual nature of building his workload since returning from injury. He is now running, building strength in muscles, and preparing for net sessions prior to bowling full spells in a Test match.

 

Cummins added:

 

“It’s kind of a little bit stiff, just probably a little bit from the injury but then also because it hasn’t been used for a while. Each session you do a little bit of run and make sure you pull up alright. So you do a lot more kind of getting your muscles ready, side holds to try to simulate that. Maybe some med ball work, but trying to kind of transition before you actually go into the nets and start bowling.”

 

Cummins further added that ideally, a player would take at least four weeks in the nets to be ready for a Test match. "Four weeks is quite tight, but I think around about that mark," he said.

 

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Ashes Captaincy and Cummins' Outlook

 

Head coach Andrew McDonald has not yet confirmed Cummins' availability. If he misses the match, Steve Smith will captain Australia, as was the case with the recent tour of Sri Lanka.

 

Cummins pondered over how difficult it was to cope with injuries in a series so crucial. He said:

 

"Some days I'm kind of annoyed because it's the Ashes, and it's a big summer… but it's part of cricket. You're going to get injuries."

 

Cricket fans around the world will be keenly watching Cummins' recovery as his services are indispensable for Australia in the opening Test at Perth Stadium.

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