Australia Test captain Pat Cummins has insisted that he is keen to play as much as he can in the five-match Ashes series at home, which is set to begin on 21 November.
Having been ruled out of the series opener in Perth, Cummins is eyeing to make a comeback in the second Ashes Test in Brisbane. The right-armer, who has not played since the West Indies tour in July, resumed bowling last week but has yet to reach full pace as he continues to ease his way back after a prolonged break from the field.
“That’s the aim, and we’re building our plan towards the second Test,” Cummins said at the Seven Network’s cricket launch on Thursday. “It’s probably not until you get a bit closer that you can really know where you’re at. The good thing is that I’m pulling up well and the body feels great. We’re trying to keep that second Test as a live option. I’ll have a really good bowl in Perth, and by then I’ll know where I’m at.”
Workload is an issue for the fast bowlers, who are returning from lengthy layoffs, and that is the reason Cummins remains non-committal about playing all of the remaining four Tests.
“I’m pretty keen to play as much as I can,” Cummins said. “But realistically, if we have a big game and bowl 40 or 50 overs and then there’s another game starting a few days later, it might be a bridge too far. I’m trying to get right, and if I do, then hopefully I’ll play as much of it as I can.”
The second Test match, scheduled to be played at the Gabba, will be a day–night affair. Australia will be sweating on the fitness of their captain, who will have enough time between the Perth and Brisbane Tests to prove his fitness.
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