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"Zero Bowling, No Running": Pat Cummins Racing Against Time To Be Fit For Ashes Opener

Akshita Patel

Pat Cummisn on slow recovery plan [Source: @OneCricketApp/X.com]Pat Cummisn on slow recovery plan [Source: @OneCricketApp/X.com]

Australia’s Test skipper Pat Cummins has revealed his comeback timeline as he battles to return in time for the opening Ashes Test against England this November. Cummins confirmed taking a relaxed approach with extreme caution and no rush.

The fast bowler has been sidelined with a lumbar stress injury following Australia’s tour of the Caribbean in July. Subsequently, he has been ruled out of the upcoming series against New Zealand and India.

Injured Pat Cummins Is Yet To Resume Bowling

During a Cricket Australia sponsorship event, Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed he’s currently on a rest plan involving no running and zero bowling, but the Aussie leader is optimistic about being ready well ahead of the first Ashes Test in Perth, which begins on November 21.

"I'd imagine (I'd want to be bowling) at minimum a month out, maybe six weeks. But I've not thought that deeply about it yet. It's still a bit of a wait and see. We've got plenty of time, so we'll map a way back when we get closer. At the moment for the next few weeks it's pretty light. Not much running and zero bowling," Cummins said.

The 30-year-old star pacer has been key to Australia’s recent success, including his stunning six-wicket haul in the ICC World Test Championship Final earlier this year.

His presence in the pace attack is crucial for Australia to put England under pressure and contain their ‘bazball’ in Ashes.

That being said, if Cummins doesn’t recover in time, Australia isn’t short on pace options. Scott Boland is the likely candidate to step in, while proven campaigners like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon are almost guaranteed selections.

George Bailey Puts Faith In Cummins’ Timely Recovery

Cricket Australia earlier confirmed that Pat Cummins will not play any cricket before the Ashes due to ongoing back soreness.

Chief selector George Bailey, talking to reporters, said he is hopeful the Aussie skipper will be fit for the first Test against England. Although Cummins is free of stress fractures, he will follow a rehabilitation plan.

“He’s just reported a little bit of ongoing back soreness. The focus for him has been, and will continue to be, preparation for that Test series against England. It still feels like there’s plenty of time. The full expectation is that Pat will be ready to go come the first Test. If it got to the stage where Pat had played no cricket ahead of the Ashes, I still think we’d be comfortable with his experience and skill level," Bailey said.

Despite the lack of match practice, Bailey believes Cummins’ experience and skill will be enough for him to return in time for the Ashes opener.