Australia Selector ‘really Confident’ Pat Cummins Will Play ‘major Part’ In Ashes

Australia’s chair of selectors is “really confident” that skipper Pat Cummins will play a “major part” successful nan upcoming Ashes bid against England.

The 32-year-old has not bowled since Australia’s 3-0 bid conclusion of West Indies successful July because of a accent wounded successful his back. Cummins had admitted he was improbable to play successful nan Ashes opener successful Perth connected 21 November, pinch nan timepiece moving down connected nan bowler’s chances of recovery.

However, selectors’ main George Bailey said: “We cognize clip is getting short and there’s permutations astir that, not conscionable astir nan back, but different factors arsenic well. It’s positive. [We are] really assured that he’s going to play a awesome part. Hopefully it’s nan first Test. If not, past we’ll prime it up.”

Bailey added that Cummins is “building up” and was “optimistic” astir his chances. “We cognize clip is getting short and there’s permutations astir that, not conscionable astir nan back, but different factors arsenic well,” Bailey said. “It’s positive. [We are] really assured that he’s going to play a awesome part. Hopefully it’s nan first Test. If not, past we’ll prime it up.”

Bailey besides confirmed that Steve Smith would measurement up to lead nan Test squad successful Cummins’ absence during this winter’s Ashes. “If Pat doesn’t play, Smudge [Steve Smith] will captain. That’s business arsenic accustomed for us. That look has worked.

“Regardless of whether he’s playing, Pat’s keen to beryllium astir because if he’s not playing he’ll beryllium rehabbing and getting fresh and bowling, truthful he’ll beryllium pinch nan squad anyway.”

Cummins was forced to miss Australia’s caller limited-overs bid against New Zealand and India but said earlier this week that he was not successful superior pain. “I’m really emotion really bully astatine nan moment,” nan Test skipper said connected Monday.

“A fewer of nan symptoms hung astir for a small spot longer than I would person liked, but they’re each gone now. So I’m conscionable trying to benignant of summation nan workload and make judge nan body’s responding well.”