Perth, Nov 6 (NationPress) Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins, who will miss the opening match of the Ashes series in Perth due to a back injury, has shared optimistic news regarding his recovery. He aims to return for the second Test against England in Brisbane.

With the highly anticipated series ahead, the fast bowler expressed his eagerness to participate as much as possible.

“I’m not ready to make any commitments at this stage. I’m eager to contribute in any way I can, but realistically, if we have a crucial match and I bowl 40 to 50 overs, then there’s another game shortly after, it might be too much. I’m focused on getting back to full fitness, and if all goes well, I’ll strive to be involved in as much as possible,” Cummins stated in an interview with Channel 7.

“The second Test is our target, and we’re working on our strategy leading up to that. It’s only as the date approaches that we’ll have a clearer picture of my situation. We’re keeping the option for the second Test alive, and after a solid bowling session in Perth, I should have a better understanding of my condition.”

Having last played during Australia’s tour of the West Indies in July, Cummins is gradually finding his rhythm. “My training has been encouraging. Yesterday, I managed a three-quarter run-up for seven or eight overs, and everything feels positive, so I’m on the right path. It’s likely better than I had anticipated,” he remarked.

“My bowling speed is around 115 to 120 km/h. I plan to practice more later this week. Each session builds on the last, and as I head to Perth, I expect to approach a full run-up and get some overs in.”

“Overall, I feel great. There’s no current stress regarding my injury. While it doesn’t guarantee anything, the indicators are promising. I’ve dealt with this injury before—though it has been quite a while—so I know what to expect. After any break from bowling, some soreness is normal. I’ve felt that, but I recognize it’s all part of the process.”

“I’m in a good place and believe we have a solid plan moving forward, so I hope to participate significantly this summer.”

Although Cummins is not exactly ahead of his recovery timeline, he is progressing well according to his recovery strategy.

“I wouldn’t claim to be ahead of schedule since it’s a carefully structured plan,” he clarified. “Everything is on course, and the positive aspect is I’m feeling good post-training. Each session is a milestone, and I ensure I’m ready for the next one. I haven’t encountered any setbacks or been advised to slow down.”