Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald has offered a balanced yet hopeful update on captain Pat Cummins’ recovery process from a lower-back injury. The pace spearhead, who has been out of action since July, remains “on track” to feature in the upcoming Ashes Test series against England. Cummins has recently resumed running after encouraging scan results but is yet to be cleared to bowl.
The 32-year-old is now in a race against time to be fit for the first Test in Perth starting November 21. McDonald acknowledged that the team is “pushing time” but stressed that progress is evident and the overall outlook is positive.
“Trending in the Right Direction”
While speaking to reporters, McDonald explained the delicate balance between optimism and caution in Cummins’ rehabilitation. “My view would be four, four-and-a-half weeks of bowling before the first Test. Otherwise, you bring in other risks — not being skill ready or suffering a soft tissue injury early in the series,” he said.
The coach admitted that both he and Cummins are conscious of the tight schedule but are encouraged by recent developments. “A couple of weeks ago, did he think he was a chance to play in Perth? Maybe not. But now he is a lot more optimistic. Things have been trending in the right direction,” McDonald added, highlighting the steady improvement in the captain’s condition.
Backup Plans and Strategic Considerations
As Cummins continues his rehabilitation, Australia’s pace attack is preparing for the high-stakes series. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland are ramping up their workloads ahead of the Ashes. Starc and Hazlewood are slated to participate in the ODI series against India and a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales, while Boland will continue his preparations with Victoria.
Should Cummins fail to recover in time for the opening Test, vice-captain Steve Smith is expected to lead the side. McDonald stated that a final decision will be made next week once the medical team assesses Cummins’ readiness.
Even if he misses the Perth Test, Cummins could regain match fitness through domestic fixtures for New South Wales or a warm-up match against the England Lions. Ultimately, Australia’s management faces a critical decision — weighing the risks of fielding their captain slightly underprepared against the importance of having him lead from the front in the prestigious Ashes series.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
