Pat Cummins Set for Adelaide Test Comeback After Back Injury Layoff.
Australia captain Pat Cummins has confirmed he will return for the Adelaide Test against England, saying he is now fully fit and ready after a lengthy recovery from a back injury. The fast bowler last played a Test in July during the West Indies tour and has spent the opening stages of the Ashes gradually rebuilding his workload.
Cummins said he will complete one final bowling session on Sunday before travelling to Adelaide. “I should be right for Adelaide… barring any hiccups, I’ll be good to go. Body feels great,” he said.
Nearly Returned in Brisbane
Cummins revealed he came close to being picked for the ongoing pink-ball Test in Brisbane but the selectors and medical staff agreed it was too risky.
“My body feels great, I’m bowling at 100%. But coming back from a bone injury, the big challenge is bowling on consecutive days, and I haven’t done that yet,” he said. “You might need to bowl two or three days in a row in a Test match, and that’s where the risk is.”
The team briefly considered limiting him to 20–25 overs with Cameron Green’s support, but Cummins said it didn’t feel right to play under those constraints. “It felt a bit too cute in the end and not fair on the other bowlers—or even on myself as captain,” he added.
Boost for Injury-Hit Bowling Unit
Cummins is expected to replace either Michael Neser or Brendan Doggett, who have filled in during Australia’s early-series injury crunch. With Josh Hazlewood still unavailable, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland have shouldered most of the attack’s workload.
His return will be a major boost for Australia, given his outstanding Ashes record of 91 wickets in 16 Tests at 24.10.
The Adelaide Test begins on December 17.
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