In an effort to be ready for the second Ashes Test against England, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins has gradually returned to bowling while recovering from a lower-back ailment.
Cummins wants to be available for the next game in Brisbane two weeks later after being ruled out of the series opener in Perth beginning on November 21.
On Tuesday, the staff at Cricket New South Wales’ training camp watched as the 32-year-old pacer bowled off a short run-up in the nets.
Cummins would need “four-plus weeks” to be ready to play, according to Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald, who virtually ruled him out of any warm-up games prior to the Gabba Test.
Australia will be captained by Steve Smith in Perth, while Cummins will likely be replaced by Victoria fast bowler Scott Boland.
After a 2-2 series draw in the 2023 Ashes in England, Australia retained the urn.
