Test captain sets a loose target for his own return and insists Australia has the fast bowling stocks to cover any injuries

Pat Cummins is adamant there are no depth issues around Australia’s bowling ahead of the Ashes, at a time when England are building back towards full strength.

The Test skipper insists Australia have enough depth to cover any injuries to their pace cartel this summer as the struck-down quick set a loose target for his own bowling return.

Cummins has felt a lingering soreness in his back since Australia’s Test series win in the West Indies almost two months ago, with scans since showing lumbar bone stress.

The 32-year-old is desperate to feature in this summer’s Ashes and has vowed to take an aggressive approach to prove his fitness if required.

A timeline has not yet been set for Cummins’ on-field return and he is prepared to go into the Test summer without playing a Sheffield Shield game if required.

But the quick said he would likely want to be back bowling at least a month before the first Test against England in Perth on November 21.

“I’d imagine (I’d want to be bowling) at minimum a month out, maybe six weeks,” Cummins said as Cricket Australia announced Chemist Warehouse as a sponsor.

Lyon, Perry, Cummins and King at the SCG to announce Chemist Warehouse as a new CA sponsor

“But I’ve not thought that deeply about it yet.

“It’s still a bit of a wait and see. We’ve got plenty of time, so we’ll map a way back when we get closer.

“At the moment for the next few weeks it’s pretty light. Not much running and zero bowling.”

Cummins’ injury scare has highlighted concerns around Australia’s depth for the summer.

Scott Boland remains the fourth member of the cartel and ready to step up in case of injury, but below him numbers are dwindling.

Speedster Lance Morris has been ruled out of the summer requiring his own back surgery, while Jhye Richardson’s Ashes availability is questionable on return from a dislocated shoulder.

Rising Queensland quick Callum Vidler has also been sidelined long-term with a back injury, while fellow young star Mahli Beardman is also nursing a stress fracture.

“We feel really well placed,” Cummins insisted. 

“A lot of planning goes in. It’s not just a month before, it’s 12 months out. 

“Someone like Jhye Richardson hopefully he will be available for some of the summer. 

“There’s (Michael) Neser, Brendan Doggett was part of squads last year, Sean Abbott. So I’m really confident in our depth. 

“Obviously there is a bit of Shield cricket and white-ball cricket before that to make sure everyone is up and raring to go.”

England are gaining fitness ahead of the Ashes.

Speedster Jofra Archer returned to Test cricket in July and sent down a devastating 4-18 from nine overs against South Africa in an ODI earlier this week.

“(He’s) got quicker. It was box-office bowling,” England coach Brendan McCullum remarked afterwards. 

“I thought it was brilliant and not just his pace but his skill, his ability to shift it both ways and to test batters with the steep bounce he gets.

“He’s a proper cricketer, hence why we’ve taken our time with him to make sure that we give him every chance to be in the biggest series of all of our lives. 

“He’s going to be a huge player when we get to Australia, as a number of others are.”

The tourists also expected to have fellow express quick Mark Wood on deck, while Ben Stokes has also resumed training following a shoulder injury.

Chris Woakes, who was man of the series in the 2023 Ashes, has also not given up hope of playing after opting against surgery on his dislocated shoulder. 

2025-26 NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes

First Test: November 21-25, Perth Stadium, 1.30pm AEDT

Second Test: December 4-8, The Gabba, Brisbane (D/N), 3.30pm AEDT

Third Test: December 17-21: Adelaide Oval, 11am AEDT

Fourth Test: December 26-30: MCG, Melbourne, 10.30am AEDT

Fifth Test: January 4-8: SCG, Sydney, 10.30am AEDT