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Australia captain Pat Cummins has rated himself “half a chance” to return in the second Ashes Test at Brisbane from December 4 as he continues to recover from a back issue.
Seam bowler Cummins, 32, missed the first Test against England in Perth, which the hosts won by eight wicket inside two days, and has not played since July.
Speaking to Fox Sports TV on Saturday, he said: “It’s feeling good.
Cummins was in Perth to see Australia’s two-day win over England
“I had a couple of good sessions in Perth this week, so having a big day where I’d bowl around 10 overs then a couple of quieter days and then going again.
“It’s on track and pulling up pretty well. [I’m] half a chance for the next game. I’m pretty hopeful and it’s probably better than it was a few weeks ago.”
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Sky Sports’ Stuart Broad was left stunned as Mitchell Starc took Joe Root’s wicket during England’s day-two batting collapse. Pictures (@7Cricket)
Hazlewood to miss second Ashes Test?
Ashes holders Australia may not feel the need to risk Cummins for the day-night second Test after storming into a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The third Test in Adelaide takes place from December 17-21.
Australia have won 13 of their 14 day-night Tests, including all three against England, with Mitchell Starc taking a leading 75 wickets with the pink ball.
Australia’s Mitchell Starc has taken more wickets in pink-ball Tests than any other bowler
Starc, who claimed a 10-wicket match haul in the Ashes opener in Perth, is unlikely to be joined in the Australia XI in Brisbane by fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood, with Code Sports reporting that the 34-year-old is still not over his hamstring problem.
Hazlewood missed the Perth Test after picking up his injury playing in the Sheffield Shield for state side New South Wales.
Will ‘Travball’ Head open for Australia again in Brisbane?
Veteran Australia batter Usman Khawaja may also be a doubt for Brisbane after battling back spams at Optus Stadium, with the 38-year-old unable to open in both innings after spending time off the field during England’s batting efforts.
Australia’s Usman Khawaja suffered from back spasms in the Perth Test
Khawaja was out for two in Australia’s first dig and did not bat in the second as makeshift opener Travis Head smashed 123 from 83 balls to stun the tourists.
Asked whether Head would continue to open for Australia, Steve Smith – who deputised for Cummins as skipper in Perth – said: “Let’s just digest this [win] first.
“It’s probably too early to say anything on that, but what we just witnessed was quite incredible. I’m glad to have been in the house to see it.
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Sky Sports pundit Nasser Hussain looks at how England were Bazballed by Travis Head in Perth and how they will now be ‘hammered’ by the media
“We didn’t like how things functioned in the first innings with Marn [Marnus Labuschagne] going up top and me batting three. So Trav took it on and played one of the great Ashes knocks.”
Former Australia opener David Warner told The Age about Head perhaps opening permanently: “I definitely do think he can do it. We’ve seen first-hand what he can do. Is he going to be consistent? I think he can be.
“It’s the match-winning performances that are the ones you’ve got to look at. Then it’s upon the selectors to have the confidence to stick with him and do that.”
Ashes series in Australia 2025-26
All times UK and Ireland
- First Test (Perth – November 21-25): Australia beat England by eight wickets
- Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (11.30pm) – Adelaide Oval
- Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
