Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has delivered promising news about his fitness ahead of the crucial second Ashes Test against England. The fast bowler, who missed the series opener in Perth due to a back injury, expressed optimism about his availability for the Brisbane match starting December 4.
Cummins' Road to Recovery
The 32-year-old pace spearhead revealed he has been undergoing intensive bowling sessions in Perth to test his recovery. Cummins described his chances of playing in the next Test as "half a chance" while speaking to Fox Sports TV. His rehabilitation program involved bowling approximately ten overs in a single session followed by lighter recovery days.
"It's feeling good. I had a couple of good sessions in Perth this week," Cummins confirmed. "It's on track and pulling up pretty well. I'll have a couple more bowls, and then there could be about two weeks before the next one, the way this one is going."
Australia's Victory Without Cummins
In Cummins' absence, Steve Smith took over captaincy duties and led Australia to a commanding eight-wicket victory in the first Test at Perth. The win, which concluded on Saturday, November 22, 2025, gave the hosts a crucial 1-0 lead in the prestigious Ashes series.
The match saw an exceptional performance from Travis Head, who stepped up as opener after Usman Khawaja suffered back spasms. Head's spectacular innings of 123 runs from just 83 balls played a pivotal role in Australia comfortably chasing down England's target of 205 runs in only 28.2 overs.
Khawaja's Fitness Concerns
While Cummins' recovery appears positive, the Australian camp faces another injury concern with opener Usman Khawaja. The captain confirmed that Khawaja may be doubtful for the second Test after experiencing back spasms during the Perth match.
"Unfortunately, Uzzy is not moving too well. His back flared up again in the slips going for a jump above his head, so he was unable to open," Cummins explained about Khawaja's condition. The injury prevented Khawaja from opening the batting in both innings of the first Test.
Smith later revealed that it was Travis Head himself who expressed interest in opening the batting during Khawaja's absence. This decision proved masterful as Head partnered with Jake Weatherald in Australia's second innings to secure the comprehensive victory.
With the second Ashes Test scheduled to begin in Brisbane on December 4, the Australian team management will closely monitor both Cummins and Khawaja's fitness in the coming days. The team's medical staff faces the challenge of ensuring key players are match-ready while managing injury risks in this high-stakes series.
