Australian fast bowler and captain Pat Cummins has been out of action since the West Indies tour and his return for Australia amid the Summer Ashes is much expected and necessary. The fast bowler showed some good signs in the nets on the first day of the first Test in Perth.
The Ashes are underway in Australia and both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have missed the opening match in Perth. This is a big blow for the Australian team, as their breathtaking fast bowling trio is without their two best bowlers.
Mitchell Starc, the only bowler left in this trio, troubled the English batsmen by taking seven wickets, but England’s fast bowlers proved that this was not the best effort from Australia as other bowlers kept giving away runs. England, who have launched their full attack, are restricting runs more from all ends, while wickets continue to fall at regular intervals.
Pat Cummins gave good signals before the GABA test; Raises hopes of much awaited comeback
Earlier reports had claimed that Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the first Test, with him expected to return at any time in the series. Cummins last played for Australia during the Test series in the Caribbean.
During a recent conversation between 7Cricket anchors Ricky Ponting, Aaron Finch and Pat Cummins, the Australian captain revealed how he has been feeling recently and is looking forward to a comeback.
“Probably on track, if not maybe better than I thought a month ago. You know a lot can go wrong when you try to move forward from nothing. Luckily, everything has felt great so far and it’s going really well.”
Cummins said, “I probably surprised myself. Yes, obviously, I will work more this week and then take a few days off. Everything is going very well so far.”
He said, “Currently, I am going out on a three-day cycle at the moment, so you bowl and I bowl, let’s say for 10 overs and then rest for 2 or 4 days, let the bone and the body heal and then go again. You tick that box and go into the next session.”
“We would say, obviously, Brisbane is about two weeks away, and I’ve got a few more sessions and will see what the chance is,” Cummins said, floating a slight chance of a comeback, although not in the most positive tone.
“On track, if not maybe better than I thought a month ago.”
Latest update on Pat Cummins’ recovery from that… pic.twitter.com/JDeJuo3UYo
– 7cricket (@7cricket) 21 November 2025
Josh Hazlewood’s omission could hasten Cummins’ comeback
Another experienced Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the first Test in Perth. The lanky fast bowler was Australia’s best player during the last white-ball games against New Zealand and India.
Hazlewood prepared for the Ashes with Sheffield Shield games for New South Wales; However, he suffered a hamstring injury. The injury initially ruled him out of the Perth Test and now, due to his late recovery, has ruled him out of the second Test in Brisbane as well.
This may force Pat Cummins to return earlier than expected, as Mitchell Starc will need someone to accompany him, as Scott Boland did not prove to be very effective on this occasion in Perth.
Australia limped along halfway through their innings with not even half the runs left on the board.
After the Australian bowlers restricted England to a very low score, Australia made a brilliant comeback with the ball to wrap up the first day’s play. The Australian team eventually crossed the 100-run mark after Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc scored some crucial runs.
However, by then, 6 of the Australian batsmen were back, and England’s fast bowlers Joffra Archer and Brydon Carse troubled them with their pace and sudden bounce. However, captain Ben Stokes, who also took two wickets in the innings, executed more of a plan against the Australian batsmen.
Also Read: Kagiso Rabada out of India vs Guwahati Test, Temba Bavuma confirms