Exclusive Cummins vision as captain’s big breakthrough puts Poms on notice — Ashes Daily

Australian Test skipper Pat Cummins has taken the “first real steps” towards a return to bowling which could see him return during the upcoming Ashes series.

Cricket Australia confirmed on Monday morning that the 32-year-old fast bowler will be replaced by Steve Smith as captain, with Cummins battling with a lumbar bone stress injury in his back.

Cummins will not feature in the first Test in Perth next month, but is racing the clock to be fit for the second, a day-night contest at the Gabba, which commences on December 4.

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Vision captured exclusively by Fox Sports News on Tuesday showed Cummins bowling for the first time since mid-July, with Cricket NSW staff watching on.

Cummins ambled in to the crease and simply rolled his arm over, but regardless the vision is the first positive leap towards a return to bowling since his omission was confirmed.

“It’s the first real steps for Pat Cummins, (he) has bowled his first deliveries on this road to recovery,” Fox Sports News’ Jim Callinan said.

“He was bowling at NSW Cricket Central, that is the Blues’ training base... this is a sight that all cricket fans have been waiting to see.

“It’s pretty tentative steps for the paceman who is bowling for the first time since the tour of the Carribean. That was way back in mid July of this year.

“Since then Pat has been dealing with lower lumber back stress, something he had to deal with right back at the start of his career as a teenager.

“That kept him out for four years back then, but since then has been an ever-so-durable pace man, he has played 70 of the last 78 Tests.”

Scott Boland is a near certainty to take his place in the starting XI, with the likes of Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett, Xavier Bartlett and Fergus O’Neill in contention to be called up to the squad.

Cummins has previously indicated he requires a four-week block of bowling before he returns, which means he remains touch and go for the Brisbane Test.

According to Callinan, his position for the third Test at the Adelaide Oval could depend on how the hosts are placed in their bid to retain the Ashes.

“It seems he is still going to be a long way off until he hits full pace, but good signs,” Callinan said.

“Let’s hope it won’t be too far away, after maybe a four-week build up of bowling at good pace that he will then feature once again and take his place for the Ashes.

“It could largely fit on where the series sits. If it’s 2-0, Australia are flying, series looks in the bag, do not rush your most potent weapon,”

“Your Test captain who still has a couple of really good years ahead of him so there’s no point rushing him back.

“If the series is very much on the line, and there is a chance... then yes, I would imagine it would factor in their decision.

“But it does come down to both Pat’s long and short term fitness.”

WEBSTER’S HONEST ADMISSION

Beau Webster has been a hit with Aussie fans since breaking into the Test side, but the Tasmanian allrounder has conceded he is a chance of being “squeezed out” of the XI.

Since replacing Mitchell Marsh in January, Webster has averaged 34.63 with the bat, scoring four half centuries while also taking eight wickets with best figures of 2/6.

But with Cameron Green ready to bowl in the Ashes series and Marnus Labuschagne returning to the selection frame, Webster could be the odd man out.

The make-up of Australia’s top six remains unclear, but should Labuschagne slot back into the side and selectors pick a specialist opener, there won’t be room for Webster.

“We’ve obviously got a potential hole around the top of the order there, and see who fills that,” Webster said to media.

“If they s

ee me as a pure middle-order [batter], then I’m probably going to get squeezed out. That is what it is.

“I hope I’m still in the conversation, certainly as a batter only, and if not, if it’s just the makeup of the team I’ll plug the way back in first-class cricket.

“There’s a there’s a lot of Test cricket coming up in the next two years. I hope I’ll be thereabouts.”

Chairman of selectors George Bailey previously confirmed Webster was a certainty to be included in the squad for the Perth Test.

However, that didn’t provide clarity regarding his position in the XI.

“I’d obviously love to be in the XI. I think I’ve got a lot to contribute there, and especially this Ashes series, I feel like I’m playing the best cricket of my life at the moment,” he said.

“So I certainly want to be there. Sometimes it’s the make-up of the team and the balance and the overs and who bats where.

“It feels like this series has probably got more questions over that than any before.”

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