‘Might be a bridge too far’: Aussie skipper Pat Cummins delivers sobering Ashes update

Pat Cummins remains on track to return for the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, but the Australian skipper has all but ruled out playing back-to-back matches on short turnarounds across the five-match series.

That could impact the Boxing Day Test given the match at the MCG begins just five days after the third Test in Adelaide, with the Sydney Test starting the following week.

Cummins may not be available for both matches, which could decide the series.

The captain hasn’t played since Australia’s tour of the West Indies in July and won’t play the first Ashes Test in Perth due to a back injury.

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But he’s got his sights set on a return in Brisbane, with the world-class quick ticking off boxes in his recovery in Sydney including increasing his bowling in the nets.

While Cummins is on track to play at the Gabba, he refused to commit to playing the remaining four Tests of the series if he has to bowl long spells with little time to recover.

Workloads are often an issue for fast bowlers, but Cummins only had to get through 11 overs in the third Test against the West Indies, while he bowled a combined 49 overs in the first two matches.

“I don’t really want to commit to anything this far out,” Cummins said at Channel 7’s summer of cricket launch at Pratten Park in Ashfield.

“I’m pretty keen to play as much as I can, but realistically, if we have a big game and bowl 40 or 50 overs and then there’s a game that starts a few days later, it might be a bridge too far.

“I’m trying to get right, and if I get right then hopefully I’ll try to play most of it as I can.

“That’s the aim and we’re building our plan to the second Test. It’s probably not until you get a bit closer that you can really know where you’re at. 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.”

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Cummins resumed bowling last week but is yet to reach full pace as he continues to ease his way back after a lengthy lay-off.

“It’s been really good. Yesterday was probably a three-quarter run-up for seven or eight overs, and it’s all feeling good so I’m on track. It’s probably better than expected,” he said.

“(I’m bowling) at about 115 or 120(km/h). I’ll have a bit of a bowl later in the week. Each session is incremental so it’ll be a little bit more intense, and once I go over to Perth it should be pretty close to a full run-up, and I’ll get some overs in.

“It’s absolutely fine. There’s no stress so far. It doesn’t guarantee anything, but all the signs look pretty good so far.

“I’ve had the same injury a few times – albeit quite a while ago – so I know what to expect. With any break from bowling, you’re going to feel a few aches and creaks. I felt that but I know it’s all normal.

“I feel really good and feel like we’ve got a really good plan so hopefully I’ll take part in a fair bit of the summer.”

The gradual improvements in the nets are a great sign, but Cummins won’t rush things with so much at stake.

“I wouldn’t say ahead (of schedule) because it’s a meticulous mapped out plan,” he said.

“It’s all on track and the good thing is that I’m pulling up well and the body is great. Like anything, you tick off a session and then make sure you’re right for the next one. I haven’t had any hiccups or had anyone say that we need to rein it in.”

While the Test squad will get a crucial game in the Sheffield Shield next week, the injured skipper concedes he’s unlikely to get any proper time in the middle before he returns.

“Ideally you play quite a bit, but I don’t think we’ll be in that position this summer,” he said.

“I’m comfortable just going into the nets where we’ll obviously try to simulate (match conditions) as much as we can and try to get some centre wicket (practice) in as well.

“We’ll have some really good hit-outs where we can simulate spells as well as bowling in the morning and in the afternoon, so there will be some really high-quality hit-outs.

“It might not be a game, but it’ll be as close a simulation as you can get. I feel like that’ll be enough.”

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