‘Better than I expected’: Cummins’ positive news set to unsettle England ahead of Ashes

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Pat Cummins has set his sights on a return for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, saying his recovery from a back injury is tracking better than expected.

A day after Australia named its squad for the Ashes opener in Perth on November 21, Cummins delivered a dose of good news for fans by confirming he has resumed bowling and is tracking well.

Cummins has been managing a lower-back stress injury and bowled for the first time last week since the West Indies tour in July.

Speaking at a Channel Seven summer of cricket event in Sydney, the 32-year-old said he bowled “seven or eight overs” at “three-quarter pace” on Wednesday.

The second Test against England, a pink ball day-night fixture, starts on December 4 in Brisbane.

“It’s all feeling really good. On track and yeah, probably better than I expected,” Cummins told reporters.

“Each session is incremental. Once I get over to Perth, I should be pretty close to a full run-up and getting some overs in.

“No stress so far. That doesn’t guarantee anything, but all the signs look pretty good so far.

“I feel like we’ve got a good plan and hopefully I can take part in a fair bit of the summer.”

Cummins was not named in Australia’s squad for the first Test but will travel with the group next week and is pushing to play in Brisbane. Scott Boland is set to play alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the first Test while Cummins is out of action.

“It’s probably not until you get a bit closer that you can really know where you’re at,” Cummins said. “It’s trying to keep that second Test as a real live option.”

Australian skipper Pat Cummins’ is eyeing a return for the second Test in Brisbane.

Cummins said he may avoid back-to-back matches if required to bowl heavy spells, and that he would be comfortable returning to the Test setup purely on net form and centre wicket practice.

“I think realistically, if you have a big game, bowling 40 or 50 overs, and there’s a game starting a few days later, it probably might be a bridge too far,” Cummins said. “If I get right, hopefully I can try and play as much of them as I can.

“It’s quite a meticulous, mapped out plan. It’s all on track. The good thing is that I’m pulling up well. Body feels great. You kind of tick off a session and make sure you’re right for the next one. I haven’t had any hiccups.

“I’m comfortable just doing nets. We’ll obviously try and simulate as much as we can, try and get some centre wickets and have some really good hit outs where we’ll try and simulate spells. Maybe bowling in the morning and afternoon.

“It might not be a game but as close to simulated as possible.”