Pat Cummins Eyes Gabba Return, Says He’s ‘Half a Chance’ for 2nd Ashes Test

Pat Cummins revealed that he is still recovering from his back injury but has a small chance of being fit in time for the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.

Australian captain Pat Cummins is edging closer to a return for the second Ashes Test at the Gabba after a back stress injury kept him out of the opener in Perth. Cummins last played during Australia’s 3-0 Test sweep against the West Indies in July and has spent the past few weeks rebuilding strength and workload. He has started bowling again in Perth, completing sessions that include roughly 10 overs before lighter recovery days.

Cummins targets December 4 in Brisbane as a realistic comeback date, but he plans a few more training spells before confirming his readiness.

“It’s feeling good. 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’ll have a couple more bowls and then there could be potentially up to two weeks before the next (Test). I’m pretty hopeful and it’s probably better than it was a few weeks ago,” Cummins told Kayo Sports.

“There were probably times where I thought I wasn’t going to play a game. It’s been tough. You just want to be in amongst it. The whole cricketing world is watching, and you just wish you were out there. There’s a few things at play, and obviously I’m not coming off a lot of cricket, so you want to get a bit of a feel, have a look at the wicket and work out how you think the game may pan out and make a decision. If I don’t want to play, then no one is ever going to put me in that position,” he added.

READ ALSO | Australia Crush England By 8 Wickets To Take 1-0 Ashes Lead

Recent net sessions in Perth show improved rhythm and workload, placing him in strong contention for the Gabba match on December 4. The selectors, physios, and medical team will make the final call once he completes additional bowling spells in Brisbane.

Meanwhile, Australia leads the five-match Ashes series 1-0 after sealing the opening Test inside two days.