Pat Cummins Confirms Adelaide Test Return After Injury Layoff.
Australia captain Pat Cummins has confirmed he will be fit to return for the Adelaide Test against England, marking his comeback to red-ball cricket after nearly five months on the sidelines. The fast bowler last featured in a Test in July during the West Indies tour and has since been recovering from a back injury.
Cummins, 32, said he will have one final bowling session on Sunday before heading to Adelaide, where he will continue to build up his workload.
“I should be right for Adelaide… barring any hiccups, I’ll be good to go. Body feels great,” Cummins said, adding that his preparation has steadily ramped up since the start of the Ashes.
Close to Playing in Brisbane — But Risk Was Too High
Cummins revealed he was “relatively close” to returning for the ongoing pink-ball Test in Brisbane but was advised against it by selectors and team management due to the increased workload risk associated with returning from a bone-related back injury.
“My body feels great; I’m bowling at 100%. The big question when coming back from a bone injury is you need to bowl back-to-back days — maybe even three days — and I haven’t done that yet,” he said. “Going into a Test where you could be bowling long spells back-to-back felt like a high-risk option.”
The team also explored ways to manage his load, including limiting him to 20–25 overs with Cameron Green available as an all-rounder, but Cummins said it felt too complex and unfair on the other bowlers.
“It didn’t really feel right. It didn’t feel like the Test to take that risk,” he admitted.
Likely to Replace Neser or Doggett
Cummins is expected to come in for either Michael Neser or Brendan Doggett, both of whom have stepped up in Australia’s injury-hit attack. With Josh Hazlewood still recovering, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland have been carrying the bulk of the workload in the opening Tests.
His return is a major boost for Australia, who have struggled for breakthroughs in phases of the series. Cummins has been one of the most prolific Ashes bowlers of the modern era, with 91 wickets in 16 Tests at an average of 24.10.
The Adelaide Test begins December 17.
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