Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins, sidelined with a lower back injury for four months, announced on Saturday he has a “half a chance” to return for the second Ashes Test against England in Brisbane on December 4, providing a potential boost to the team currently led by Steve Smith.The 32-year-old pace bowler has been training with the team in Perth during the ongoing first Test, gradually building up his bowling workload in practice sessions.
“It’s feeling good,” Cummins said while commentating for Fox Sports. “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. Half a chance for the next game. I’ll have a couple more bowls and then there could be about two weeks before the next one the way this one is going”, he added. “I’m pretty hopeful and it’s probably better than it was a few weeks ago.”Cummins’ return would strengthen the Australian bowling attack, especially with fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood also injured and unlikely to be fit for the Brisbane Test.If Cummins is cleared to play in the day-night Test at Brisbane, Perth debutant Brendan Doggett would likely be dropped from the team.
