Australia's cricket fortunes have received a significant boost as fast bowler Pat Cummins appears increasingly likely to return from injury for the crucial second Ashes Test at the Gabba.
Road to Recovery
Six days out from the day-night clash in Brisbane, Cummins took a major step in his comeback, bowling for a little over an hour with a pink ball to Steve Smith in the SCG nets on Friday morning. The session marked another positive step for the Australian captain, who missed the series-opening win last week due to a back injury first noticed during July's West Indies series.
The 32-year-old quick has adopted a cautious approach to his recovery, but Friday's display offered encouraging signs. "We're bowling so we'll see how we go ... give us a week," Cummins said with optimism upon arriving for training.
Bowling Squad Shows Promising Signs
Observers noted Cummins appeared to be bowling at full speed alongside fellow Test bowlers Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, showing no obvious signs of discomfort. His performance follows another positive pink-ball session earlier in the week, strengthening his case for selection.
In another net, Josh Hazlewood also made progress in his return from a hamstring injury, bowling for 45 minutes off a shortened run-up at approximately 50 percent intensity. The quick told reporters there's no definite timeline for his return but expressed determination to feature later in the series.
The session also included Sean Abbott, who showed more visible effects of his hamstring injury, bowling off just a few steps. Both Hazlewood and Abbott suffered their injuries within hours of each other during Sheffield Shield matches at the SCG a fortnight ago.
What This Means for Australia
Cummins is expected to be named in Australia's squad for the second Test on Friday, which would provide a massive boost for the hosts. His return would significantly strengthen Australia's bowling attack as they seek to maintain their advantage in the Ashes series.
Australian officials are taking a more measured approach with Hazlewood, planning for his return later in the series rather than rushing him back for the Gabba Test. The careful management of both pace stars reflects Australia's long-term strategy for the important Test series.
