Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins, who has been sidelined with a lower back injury for over three months, indicated on Thursday he might return for the second Ashes Test against England, following the team’s squad announcement for the series opener in Perth.The 32-year-old pace bowler has been out of action since sustaining an injury during a match against the West Indies.“It’s all feeling really good. On track and yeah, probably better than I expected,” Cummins told journalists.“Each session is incremental. Once I get over to Perth, I should be pretty close to a full run-up and getting some overs in,” he said.“It’s probably not until you get a bit closer that you can really know where you’re at,” Cummins added, noting that “It’s trying to keep that second Test as a real live option” for the day-night contest in Brisbane on December 4.Local television cameras recently captured Cummins bowling with a five-step run-up during a brief net session in Sydney, sparking speculation about his return.Cummins will travel with the Australian team to Perth for the first Test starting November 21, where Steve Smith will serve as captain. Scott Boland will join Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the seam attack.The Australian squad consists of Steve Smith (captain), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster.The most recent Ashes series in 2023 ended in a 2-2 draw in England. The English team has not secured a victory in Australia since their 2010-2011 tour.
