US EditionAustralia in 'Tight' Race to Have Cummins Fit for Ashes Opener
Coach Andrew McDonald says Pat Cummins needs four to four-and-a-half weeks of bowling to be match ready but remains hopeful for his return to lead Australia in the Ashes.
- Australia head coach Andrew McDonald says he remains optimistic Pat Cummins can play the first Ashes Test, with officials expecting a clearer decision by next week before the November 21 opener at Perth Cricket Stadium.
- The pacer has been sidelined by a lower-back stress injury and has not bowled since July, though recent medical scans showed improvement and Pat Cummins returned to running earlier this month.
- The coach warned the timeline is tight and Pat Cummins would need four to four-and-a-half weeks of bowling, starting as soon as next week with six weeks until the first Test.
- If Cummins is ruled out, Steve Smith is highly likely to captain and Scott Boland is the most logical bowling replacement alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, Andrew McDonald says the team can cover his absence across all aspects.
- McDonald is expected to meet Cummins and Steve Smith in Sydney on October 25 to discuss plans, with Cummins set to play three Sheffield Shield rounds and miss the white-ball series starting October 19.
23 Articles
23 Articles
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England batter Harry Brook is gearing up for the challenge of a lifetime as he prepares to lead the white-ball side in New Zealand before heading to Australia for the highly anticipated Ashes series. Despite England’s dismal record Down Under, just two wins in their last 15 Tests, Brook is optimistic. When asked if he expects to bring the Ashes urn back home, his response was characteristically blunt, “I bloody hope so.” England’s hopes have rec…
Australia in 'tight' race to have Cummins fit for Ashes opener
Australia is in a "tight" race to get injured captain Pat Cummins ready for the first Ashes Test in November, coach Andrew McDonald admitted Friday, while insisting he was "still optimistic". Pace spearhead Cummins has not played since picking up a lower back injury in a Test against the West Indies in July. McDonald said there was "a lot more positivity" surrounding the skipper's chances of playing in the opening Test match in Perth starting No…
There are some positive signs: Australia coach on skipper Pat Cummins fitness ahead of The Ashes - The Tribune
Ahead of the first Test of The Ashes 2025 against England at Perth, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald provided an update on skipper Pat Cummins' injury, saying that the pacer's condition has improved significantly in recent days and that his chances of returning to action look more positive now.
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