Injured Australian cricketers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have bowled in the nets as the pace stars attempt to return from injury for the Ashes.
Cummins trained at Cricket NSW headquarters in Sydney during the Blues’ Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania on Tuesday, steaming in as he did during two net sessions last week.
The 32-year-old is a strong chance to return for the second Test at the Gabba after missing the stunning eight-wicket win in the two-day opener at Perth Stadium due to a back injury.
Can’t get enough cricket from Grandstand?
The choice of ball for Cummins and Hazlewood was telling considering what is to come.
Australia’s next assignment is a day-night Test, with Cummins using a pink ball when bowling in the Cricket Central nets.
Hazlewood, who will almost certainly be ruled out of the second Test due to a hamstring injury, bowled with a red ball and was not at full pace.
Cummins reckons he is “half a chance” to play in Brisbane given the long gap between matches.
The 71-Test star impressed during his net stints in Perth, even admitting he was further progressed in his rehab than he thought he might be.
“For those who saw him (Cummins) in Perth — I did say this a while back, that he will be up and bowling in Perth, and people will be sitting there questioning why he’s not playing,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald said on Monday.
McDonald also said he expected Hazlewood to play some role in the series, rubbishing speculation he could be done for the entire summer.
Australia no guarantee to pick Khawaja for second Ashes Test at Gabba
Despite Australia’s extraordinary win on Saturday, its XI is far from settled ahead of the first Ashes day-night match to be played at the Gabba.
Usman Khawaja’s spot has not been guaranteed, even if the veteran opener recovers from the back spasms that had him off the field for long periods, and only batting once in Perth.
The 38-year-old is being assessed further now that he is back in Brisbane, as the back problems were unusual and only flared up on day one.
Quick Aussie Ashes win costly for CA
Travis Head made the most compelling case to remain as a Test opener with his classic fourth-innings 123 that could leave psychological scars on England for the rest of the summer.
The 31-year-old confirmed he would be up for opening the batting, as he does in white-ball cricket, if the team wanted him to.
Unlucky all-rounder Beau Webster, dropped ahead of Perth, could come back in at number six if Khawaja is out, with Cameron Green to then shuffle up a spot.
Josh Inglis, who played two Tests in Sri Lanka earlier this year, is also a contender to bat in the middle after scoring a speedy century against the England Lions on Monday.
AAP
