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“Cummins could have played…”: George Bailey on how AUS captain nearly played Gabba Test

Kaushik Kashyap

Australia think tank. [Source - AFP Photos]Australia think tank. [Source - AFP Photos]

Pat Cummins’ unexpected push for a return at the Gabba Test against England created a late-week selection headache for Australia. Despite recovering from a bone-stress injury and being omitted from the provisional squad announced last week, his sharp spells in Brisbane training sessions forced selectors to seriously reconsider his availability for the pink-ball Test.

Cummins almost ended up playing in the Gabba Test

The Australian speedster’s possibility of featuring in the second Test at the Gabba were far stronger than many assumed. Although Cricket Australia named a squad last week that did not include him, selectors were careful never to officially rule him out.

Their point of view changed noticeably after watching him bowl with increasing confidence across several practice sessions, beginning in Perth and continuing through to during the Monday outing in Brisbane.

Chair of selectors George Bailey confirmed as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo that Cummins’ progress was good enough to revisit their earlier plans for the second Test. The captain’s rhythm, control, and pace in the nets forced them to extend internal discussions about leaving him out or not, especially as his recovery had advanced faster than expected.

"We were not playing silly buggers with him not being in the squad and in the mix. But I think once we got up here, saw his training, got as much of the background medical information as well, it became a live possibility," Bailey said.

What initially seemed a long shot which went on to become a genuine selection possibility by mid-week, with Wednesday set as the final decision making day. Having said that, while Cummins looked ready with the ball, selectors looked at the demands of a full Test match.

They believed he could play, but only with limitations on his bowling workload, a factor that could have risked Australia’s bowling plans as a whole. The uncertainty lasted so long that Australia delayed naming their XI until the toss.

“Yes, he could have played. There would have been some restrictions around the overs and then obviously just the permutations,” Bailey added.

Ultimately, the balance of recovery, intensity, and long-term workload management tipped the decision. Australia proceeded without Pat Cummins, and Steve Smith continued as stand-in captain for the Gabba pink-ball Test.