Ian Healy calls out worrying issue as Aussies lose another fast bowler to injury before Ashes

Former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian Healy has suggested Pat Cummins' potential absence from the Ashes series exposes a worrying lack of depth in the nation's bowling stocks. Reports suggest Aussie cricket captain and fast bowling leader Cummins will miss the opening Test against England on November 21 after a hot spot still hasn't disappeared.

But in a worrying a sign, Cummins could also miss the whole Ashes series with his back injury not recovering in time. The captain said he would want to be bowling at least a month before his competitive return, which places his participation in doubt. Cummins' potential absence had English cricket greats suggesting their nation have their best chance of winning in years.

And naturally with Cummins ruled out of the match at Optus Stadium, Scott Boland is tipped to come right in and continue his form on home soil. Although Boland isn't the long-term solution with the 36-year-old coming towards the end of his cricket career.

“He will be a huge miss but do not risk Pat Cummins at all,” Healy said on SEN Radio on Thursday. “He’s a composed and absolutely consistent performer. He is our go-to when we need it and he gets the job done. He’s tolerant, calm and an empowering leader.

“Scotty Boland is going to be into the attack – he will be first in line but if we get an injury who else do we have? Michael Neser is in the conversation for any Test. I would like him to get a game."

Healy was confident the new quartet can get the job done at home against England, but felt with Australia's bowling line-up coming to the end of their career it has exposed an issue with their succession plan. Healy mentioned next in line if there were to be an injury would be Michael Neser.

The allrounder has been in great domestic form for a number of years and recently took six wickets in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield for Queensland. Neser could be in line to take over if there was an injury during this Ashes series.

However, Neser is also 35 years old. Healy feels because Australia has received such consistency from Cummins, Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon it has resulted in a generation of bowlers being skipped and other players will need time to adjust.

“The depth will be building because we've had these four bowlers together for 10 years," Healy added. "There's been a whole generation skipped over. With the youngsters you try to get as much cricket into them as you possibly can but they're a bit vulnerable to injury and then they have to take a double step up.”

Brendan Doggett's Shield return delayed

Healy said the likes of Fergus O'Neill, Xavier Bartlett, Jordan Buckingham and Brendan Doggett are all in contention for a role in the Ashes squad this year if there is an injury. Unfortunately, Doggett's start to the Sheffield Shield has been unfortunate after the in-form quick suffered a hamstring injury and missed the first round. Doggett won't return until the end of October, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Aussie selectors will be monitoring the bowlers fitness in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Jhye Richardson is still pushing to find top form ahead of the Ashes and isn't expected to return until next month.

Mitch Starc not concerned over Pat Cummins injury

While there is plenty of concern around whether Cummins will have enough time to recover and train ahead of the Ashes, teammate Starc isn't overly concerned. Having played alongside his captain for the majority of his career, Starc feels Cummins doesn't need much preparation time if he is able to get back into the nets ahead of a match.

"I found one thing playing with Pat and being close with Pat, he doesn't need much," Starc said at his announcement on the Sydney Sixers. "Whether it's he bowls three warm-up balls and first over the game he's on the money. He just knows when to switch on or how to switch on really quickly. Whatever it looks like for him in his prep, it's going to be certainly different to what mine feels and looks like. That comes with experience and age."

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