Cummins set for Ashes return with managed workload

Australia captain Pat Cummins remains in rehabilitation from a lumbar bone stress injury he suffered during the West Indies tour but both he and head coach Andrew McDonald say he is expected to play a significant role in the home Ashes series beginning on November 21 in Perth. Cummins has been ruled out of Australia’s whiteball matches against New Zealand and India in October, has not bowled since June and July, and is following a program of rest and graded return to bowling, officials said.

McDonald told radio listeners the team is confident Cummins will "partake in the Ashes" and cautioned against sensationalising suggestions he might miss the series. He confirmed the issue was identified in a routine scan after the West Indies tour and described ongoing management of the injury as a measured rehabilitation process. McDonald also said Cummins is likely to be involved with the whiteball squad as part of his return-to-play work but flagged that it is unrealistic to expect any of Australia’s fast bowlers to necessarily feature in all five Tests this summer.

Cummins, speaking to reporters at an event in Penrith where he helped launch a government community sport funding...