Cummins Makes Tentative Comeback to Bowling as Ashes Countdown Continues

Pat Cummins has begun a cautious return to bowling as he races to regain fitness ahead of the Ashes series against England next month. The Australia Test captain bowled off a short, five-step run-up during a light net session at Cricket Central in Sydney on Wednesday, marking his first bowling appearance since being diagnosed with a back injury in September. Cummins has already been ruled out of the first Test in Perth, starting on November 21, but is aiming to be fit for the second match in Brisbane on December 4 or the third in Adelaide from December 17. The 32-year-old was monitored closely by Cricket New South Wales physiotherapist Patrick Farhart and strength coach Dean McNamara during the session. It was his first significant step since Australia coach Andrew McDonald said the team remained “really optimistic” about Cummins’ chances of returning midway through the five-Test series. “We flagged this a week or so ago, that it would take sort of four-plus weeks to get him up and running,” McDonald said on Monday. “We’ve run out of time for the first Test, unfortunately, but we’re hopeful for the second. The next question is how he recovers after bowling this week — that’s the big variable.” Cummins last played in July during Australia’s Test series in the West Indies. He developed back soreness after returning home, later confirmed as a lumbar stress injury. McDonald said the medical team would proceed cautiously. “With the nature of this injury, it’s never going to be a clear time frame,” he said. “We’ll see how he pulls up and then make decisions moving forward.” Cummins has not bowled in a competitive match for over three months, and his return will depend on how his body responds to gradual increases in workload over the coming weeks.