Scott Boland is set to line up alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in Perth, while Steve Smith will captain the side in Cummins’ absence.
“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.”
Cummins is eyeing a return for the second Test in Brisbane.Credit: AP
“I’m there as a sounding board. Smithy is the captain and he’ll have the final say. I won’t be getting in the way.”
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.
Players will have at least eight days of full rest after Brisbane before the third Test in Adelaide on December 17.
The dream scenario for Australia would be for Cummins to bowl minimal overs in a short Test in Brisbane. The greater concern is the back-to-back nature of Tests three to four, and four to five.
“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.”
Cummins is hopeful all-rounder Cameron Green can bowl plenty of overs in the upcoming Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia next week as he aims to prove his fitness. If Green is able to bowl, Beau Webster could be squeezed out of the XI.
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“I haven’t spoken to him, but I know he’s going to bowl this Shield game, so hopefully, he’ll be right,” Cummins said. “He’s a huge asset whenever he can bowl. I don’t think it’s the most important thing in the world [for Green to be bowling]. Just recently in the West Indies he couldn’t bowl.”
Asked about the inclusion of uncapped opening batsman Jake Weatherald in the 15-man squad, Cummins said: “Jake’s been really impressive in Shield cricket the last couple of seasons. Lots of runs on some tough wickets as well. Really great to see him get his first Aussie squad selection.
“Someone coming into the side, off the back of a lot of really positive performances, is only a good thing. If he does get a chance, he doesn’t have to look too far back to times when he’s done well.”