Australia’s chair of selectors is confident that Pat Cummins will play in the Ashes series against England. The 32-year-old has not bowled since Australia’s 3-0 series defeat of West Indies in July because of a stress injury in his back. Cummins had admitted he was unlikely to play in the Ashes opener in Perth on 21 November.
However, George Bailey said: “We know time is getting short and there’s permutations around that, not just around the back, but other factors as well. It’s positive. [We are] really confident that he’s going to play a major part. Hopefully it’s the first Test. If not, then we’ll pick it up.”
Bailey also confirmed that Steve Smith would step up to lead the team in Cummins’s absence. “That’s business as usual for us. That formula has worked.
“Regardless of whether he’s playing, Pat’s keen to be around because if he’s not playing he’ll be rehabbing and getting ready and bowling.”
Cummins was forced to miss Australia’s limited-overs series against New Zealand and India but said this week that he was not in serious pain. “I’m feeling really good at the moment.”
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“A few of the symptoms hung around for a little bit longer than I would have liked, but they’re all gone now. I’m just trying to increase the workload and make sure the body’s responding well.”