‘Trying to keep that second Test as a live option’: Pat Cummins opens up about Australia comeback and future ahead of Ashes 2025

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Australian captain Pat Cummins has said that he and the rest of the management are looking at the second Ashes Test against England at Brisbane as a “live option” to resume playing international cricket again. The 32-year-old was ruled out of the series opener at Perth on November 21 due to a lower back injury.

Steve Smith will lead the hosts in Cummins’ place, a role that he has essayed in the past in the fast bowler’s absence. Australia have also named two uncapped seamers in Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott for the opening fixture in Cummins’ absence.

“It’s probably not until you get a bit closer that you can really know where you’re at. The good thing is that I’m pulling up well, and the body is great.”

“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,” Cummins said on Thursday.

“It’s all feeling really good. On track and yeah, probably better than I expected. Each session is incremental. Once I get over to Perth, I should be pretty close to a full run-up and getting some overs in,” he added.

Cummins was non-committal about how much cricket he would play in the series, even if he returned for the second Ashes Test, adding that it would depend on his workload.

“I don’t really want to commit to anything this far out. 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 as much of it as I can,” Cummins said.

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