Cummins Begins Light Bowling, Targets Gabba Return

Australia captain Pat Cummins has begun light bowling in Sydney using a short five-step run-up as he steps up rehabilitation from a lumbar bone-stress/back injury, but remains ruled out of the first Ashes Test in Perth on November 21. Head coach Andrew McDonald said Cummins needs “four-plus weeks” to be ready and is optimistic about the second Test but cautioned the coming weeks will determine his availability. Cummins is targeting a return for the day‑night second Test at the Gabba starting December 4. Steve Smith will captain Australia in Perth and has warmed up with a Sheffield Shield century (118); Victoria quick Scott Boland is expected to take Cummins’s place in the first XI while other pacemen (Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett, Xavier Bartlett, Fergus O’Neill) are being considered for squad spots. Cummins’s possible late return and absence from the opener is a major variable for both sides as England chase their first Ashes series win in Australia since 2010–11.