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Pat Cummins' Ashes Race: Steve Smith Reveals Injury Recovery Timeline

Steve Smith has provided an important update on Pat Cummins' injury status ahead of the Ashes series. The Australian captain has started running but hasn't resumed bowling yet due to his back stress fracture. Smith revealed that Cummins has several milestones to achieve before returning to full bowling duties. The team remains hopeful about his availability for the crucial Test series against England.

Key Points: Steve Smith Updates Pat Cummins Injury Before Ashes Series

  • Cummins resumed running after scans showed improvement in back stress fracture
  • Australian captain unlikely to be fit for first Ashes Test in Perth
  • Smith believes Cummins needs less preparation than other frontline bowlers
  • Stand-in captain Smith feels relaxed about potential leadership role
3 min read

Cummins' got a few things to tick off to get into his bowling: Steve Smith

Steve Smith provides crucial update on Pat Cummins' back injury recovery ahead of Ashes, revealing bowler needs to "tick off" milestones before returning to bowling.

"He's obviously got a few things to tick off and get into his bowling, but he was in good spirits - Steve Smith"

Sydney, Oct 21

With just a month before the start of the Ashes, veteran Australian batter Steve Smith provided an update on Pat Cummins, who is struggling with a stress fracture in his back. Smith said that the bowler has a few things to tick off before returning to his bowling and that he doesn’t need much preparation for the series.

Cummins, who has been battling a back injury that has prevented him from bowling since July, resumed running a couple of weeks ago after scans showed some improvement in the lower-back stress injury.

Cummins had earlier admitted he was less likely than likely to be fit for Perth and would require at least four weeks of bowling to be ready.

"I saw him out here the other day. He started his running and I was in here training as well. I think he obviously hasn’t started bowling yet, but he gets into things pretty quickly. He probably doesn’t need as much (preparation) as Josh (Hazlewood) or Starcy (Mitchell Starc)," Smith told the media.

“Things can turn around quickly, so we’ll see where everything lands with him.

“He’s obviously got a few things to tick off and get into his bowling, but he was in good spirits and the team’s obviously better with him in it for sure.

“Hopefully he can get right and if he plays three Tests or five Tests or two Tests … as many as we can get out of him, it’s the best for the team,” he added.

Since Cummins has yet to resume bowling, it is now highly likely he will miss the first Test in Perth, which begins in a month. Smith will lead Australia, with the stand-in skipper feeling more relaxed than he did when he was the full-time captain from 2013 to 2017.

"It's nothing out of the ordinary. I know how the team operates. We're in a good place. So if it happens, I'll look forward to it. I think the important thing is doing it my way. I think when I get out on the field, I've got a certain style and the way I like to do things and I need to be authentic. I think it's worked well when I've stood in over the last few years. It'll just be a seamless sort of transition if that comes around," Smith said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Steve Smith seems very confident about taking over captaincy if needed. But honestly, I'm not sure if that's the best move for Australia. His leadership record isn't exactly stellar. Sometimes it's better to let someone else step up.
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Arjun K
Stress fractures in the back are serious business for fast bowlers. Remember what happened to our own Zaheer Khan? Australia should be careful not to rush Cummins back. Better to miss one Test than risk his entire career.
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Sarah B
Interesting that Smith says Cummins needs less preparation than other bowlers. Shows how much they value his natural talent. But with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy coming up next year, I hope he's fully fit when India tours Australia! 🇮🇳
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Vikram M
As someone who's had back issues, I can tell you it's not something to take lightly. The fact that he's only started running recently means bowling is still far away. Australian management should prioritize his long-term health over short-term gains.
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Michael C
Smith's calm approach to potential captaincy is refreshing. He's clearly learned from past experiences. The "doing it my way" philosophy could actually work well for Australia in this situation.

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