Australia Selectors Optimistic About Pat Cummins’ Ashes Return

Australia’s selectors had remained hopeful about Pat Cummins’ Ashes return while confirming Cameron Green and Beau Webster’s readiness for the first Test.

Australia’s selectors remain hopeful that captain Pat Cummins will play a major role in the upcoming Ashes, even though his availability for the opening Test is still uncertain with less than five weeks remaining.

Chair of selectors George Bailey expressed strong confidence that allrounder Cameron Green would be fully fit for the first Test. Green was ruled out of the ODI series against India due to side soreness, which was managed conservatively. Bailey also confirmed that Beau Webster is set to be part of the first Test squad after recovering from a rolled ankle.

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There has been no new update on Cummins’ recovery despite coach Andrew McDonald suggesting a decision would be made on Friday. Cummins had earlier said he was “less likely than likely” to play in the first Test in Perth and would need at least four weeks of bowling to be ready.

Bailey said there were positive signs in Cummins’ progress over the past week but could not confirm whether the captain had started bowling.

“I actually have no further update on that from when I think the last time Pat spoke,” Bailey told reporters in Perth on Saturday. “It’s progressing. He’s building up. He’s optimistic about it. I think actually the more he’s done over the last few days, the more optimistic he’s become but I categorically don’t know if he’s bowled a ball.

“We know time is getting short and there’s permutations around that, not just around the back, but other factors as well. It’s positive. [We’re] really confident that he’s going to play a major part. Hopefully it’s the first Test. If not, then we’ll pick it up.”

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Steve Smith To Captain In Absence Of Cummins

Bailey confirmed that Steven Smith would lead Australia if Cummins is unavailable. Smith has returned from New York and will play the next two Sheffield Shield matches for New South Wales after missing the first two rounds.

Bailey added that he would meet Smith in Sydney when the ODI squad arrives on Friday. Discussions on the batting positions of Smith and Green in the Test lineup will take place later.