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<\/p>\nAustralia head coach Andrew McDonald says captain Pat Cummins is running out of time to be fit in time for The Ashes but has not been ruled out yet.<\/p>\n
A back stress injury has cast doubt on the 32-year-old’s involvement with the pace bowler yet to start bowling again in his rehabilitation period ahead of the opening Test in Perth from November 21.<\/p>\n
Cummins last played during Australia’s 3-0 series sweep of West Indies in July, where pain initially flared up, and he has been on the sidelines since, with scans indicating signs of lumbar bone stress.<\/p>\n
Speaking at Thursday’s PCA Awards in London, England vice-captain Harry Brook said of Cummins’ potential Ashes absence: “He bowls at high pace, with high skill.<\/p>\n
“With him out of their side for the first game, from what we’ve seen, hopefully that plays into our hands\u2026 [But] we can’t take anybody lightly.”<\/p>\n
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Australia’s Mitchell Starc is hopeful captain Cummins will overcome his injury issues<\/p>\n
Will Cummins be fit for Ashes opener?<\/p>\n
McDonald said on Friday: “The reality is, we’re starting to get tight in terms of the times. We’re still optimistic, hopeful, but this time next week, I think we’ll be in a position to get a better gauge on where he’s at. We’ve still got a little bit to go.<\/p>\n
“One of the benefits with Patty is that he has had the ability to prepare for Test matches off shortened preparations. So if it was to be shrunken down, we’d be very confident that he would still be able to perform in the first Test.”<\/p>\n
McDonald said Cummins probably needed to be back bowling a minimum of four weeks before the Perth Test to have a chance to play without running the risk of further injury.<\/p>\n
“Myself and Patty have spoken about that type of timeframe. Or else you start to bring in other risk factors – a) you’re not skill ready, b) soft tissue injuries then become a real risk,” he said.<\/p>\n
“And if you were to do a soft tissue injury early in a series like the Ashes, then it’s a long way back from where he’s been. So, we’ll be mindful of all those risk factors.”<\/p>\n
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Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain take a deep dive into England\u2019s Ashes squad<\/p>\n
Starc: Cummins in good spirits<\/p>\n