Australia batter Steve Smith remains optimistic about Pat Cummins’ availability for the Ashes opener in Perth, but says that if he is unavailable, world class Scott Boland would be a reliable replacement.
In recent weeks, several reports from the Australian media have suggested that Cummins is unlikely to feature in the first Ashes Test, which is scheduled to be played in Perth from November 21. The 32-year-old has been dealing with back issues since the West Indies tour and is racing against time to be fit for the match, having not yet resumed bowling. Recently, chief selector George Bailey expressed hope that the fast bowler would recover in time, and Smith echoed that sentiment.
“Things can turn around pretty quickly, so we’ll see where everything lands with him,” Smith told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday. “He’s obviously got a few things to tick off and needs to get back into his bowling, but he was in good spirits and the team is obviously better with him in it, for sure. Hopefully he can get right, and whether he plays three Tests, five Tests, or two Tests, as many as we can get out of him, it’s the best outcome for the team.”
If Cummins fails to prove his fitness for the first Test, Smith will captain the side, as confirmed by Bailey last week. In that scenario, Boland, if fit, would be the obvious replacement for Cummins.
“I mean, we’ve got a pretty good replacement in Scott Boland, who I think is arguably one of the best bowlers in the world,” he said. “His record in Australia is outstanding, so we’re in a good position there. The other two, Starc and Hazlewood, have also done a wonderful job for a long time, so I don’t think it disrupts things too much.”
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