Pat Cummins acknowledges that there is currently no set recovery period from his spinal bone stress, but he expects to return to bowling at least a month before the Ashes begin on November 21. The 32-year-old Australian captain has already been ruled out of the forthcoming white-ball matches against New Zealand and India due to back issues that began after the Test series victory in the Caribbean two months ago.
Even in his spare time, Cummins is determined to guide Australia into the highly anticipated Ashes opening in Perth, even if it means not practicing Sheffield Shield matches beforehand.
“I’d imagine (I’d want to be bowling) at minimum a month out, maybe six weeks,” Cummins stated on Wednesday, September 10, during a sponsor event. However, I haven’t given it any thought yet. Still, we’ll have to wait and see. When we get closer, we’ll map out a way back because we have plenty of time. It’s going to be fairly light for the next few weeks. Very little jogging and very little bowling.
The setback to Cummins has brought attention back to Australia’s depth in fast bowling.
Josh Hazlewood has experienced a number of injury setbacks, but Scott Boland has performed excellently in his place. However, the number of backup options is decreasing: Jhye Richardson’s Ashes participation is doubtful due to a shoulder dislocation, Lance Morris has undergone back surgery, and young players Callum Vidler and Mahli Beardman are also out.
But Cummins downplayed any alarm. “We think we’re in a great position. There is a great deal of preparation. “It’s twelve months out, not just a month before,” he stated. It is hoped that someone like Jhye Richardson would be available for a portion of the summer.
“There’s Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett, who was in squads last year, and Michael Neser. Thus, I have a great deal of faith in our depth. To make sure everyone is ready to go, there is obviously some shield and white-ball cricket before that.
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