NewKerala.com

Key Points

Australia's coach Andrew McDonald has shared some encouraging news about captain Pat Cummins' fitness ahead of the Ashes. Cummins' back injury has shown significant improvement in recent days, making his participation in the first Test more likely. The team is giving him about 10 days to prove he can bowl without risking further injury. McDonald remains optimistic that Cummins could still lead Australia in Perth despite the tight timeline.

Key Points: Pat Cummins Fitness Improves for Ashes as McDonald Reveals Positive Signs

  • Cummins has been battling back injury since July but shows recent improvement
  • McDonald reveals 10-day window for bowling return decision
  • Skipper's ability to prepare quickly gives Australia confidence
  • Steve Smith could captain if Cummins misses Perth Test opener
3 min read

There are some positive signs: Australia coach on skipper Pat Cummins' fitness ahead of The Ashes

Australia coach Andrew McDonald provides optimistic update on captain Pat Cummins' back injury recovery ahead of first Ashes Test against England in Perth.

"There's some positive signs speaking to Patty over the last few days. He's a lot more optimistic. - Andrew McDonald"

Melbourne, October 10

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.

Cummins has been battling a back injury that has prevented him from bowling since July, and the Australia skipper only returned to running earlier this month, just weeks out from the first Test against England in Perth, scheduled for November 21.

McDonald admitted time was running out for Cummins to prove his fitness ahead of the first Test, but the Australia coach is still holding hope the inspirational captain can feature should he make a return to the bowling crease at training within the next 10 days.

"Patty and I have spoken about that type of timeframe. Otherwise, you start to introduce other risk factors. A: You're not skill-ready, or B: Soft tissue injuries then become a real risk. If you were to do a soft tissue injury early in a series like the Ashes, then it's a long way back from where he's been. So we'll be mindful of all those risk factors," McDonald said as quoted by ICC.

If Cummins is ruled out of the series opener in Perth, it could pave the way for former skipper Steve Smith to captain the side, while back-up quick Scott Boland would seem the most logical replacement for the fast bowler alongside regulars Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

But McDonald is not giving up hope that his skipper will be there to lead Australia, revealing Cummins' prognosis had actually improved in recent times.

"There's some positive signs speaking to Patty over the last few days. He's a lot more optimistic. Those who have been through this type of injury (say) these things ebb and flow. A couple of weeks ago, did he think he had a chance (to play in Perth)? Potentially not, he was a little bit sore. Then you flip it forward two weeks, and there's a lot more positivity. We've still got a little bit to go," McDonald noted.

"One of the benefits with Patty is that he has had the ability to prepare for Test matches off shortened preparations. So if it was to be shrunken down, we'd be very confident that he would still be able to perform in the first Test. However, the reality is that we're starting to get tight in terms of time. We're still optimistic, hopeful, but this time next week, I think we'll be in a position to get a better gauge on where he's at," the 44-year-old added.

Series schedule:

First Test: November 21-25, Perth.

Second Test: December 4-8, Brisbane.

Third Test: December 17-21, Adelaide.

Fourth Test: December 25-29, Melbourne.

Fifth Test: January 3-7, 2026, Sydney.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Back injuries are tricky business. Remember how they affected our own Bumrah? Hope Cummins doesn't rush back and risk long-term damage. The cautious approach McDonald is taking seems sensible.
A
Arjun K
Steve Smith as captain again would be interesting! But honestly, the way Cummins has led Australia has been impressive. His absence would be a big blow for the home team. Fingers crossed he makes it! 🤞
S
Sarah B
Watching from India, I must say the medical management of fast bowlers in Australia seems much better than what we often see here. They're being very professional about his recovery timeline.
V
Vikram M
The Ashes without Cummins would feel incomplete. He's been such a key player in recent years. Hope he recovers in time for Perth - that ground needs his pace bowling!
M
Michael C
As an Indian living abroad, I appreciate how transparent the Australian team is being about injuries. Wish our BCCI would provide such clear updates about our players' fitness status.
A
Ananya R
Honestly, I think they should prioritize Cummins' long-term health over one series. Australia has enough depth to manage without him for the first test. Player welfare should come first, yaar.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50