Ashes 2025-26: ‘Half a chance’ - Pat Cummins still not fully recovered as action moves to Gabba

Australian skipper Pat Cummins feared he might miss the entire Ashes series after suffering a back injury, but now believes he has a half a chance of returning for the second Test at the Gabba. The fast bowler has been out of action since Australia’s 3-0 Test series sweep over the West Indies in July, with a stress injury in his lower back ruling him out of the Ashes' opener in Perth.

The 32-year-old has resumed bowling in the nets and is pushing hard to prove his fitness ahead of the second Test, scheduled to begin on December 4 in Brisbane. However, the Aussie speedster is in no haste to make a return, as he will undergo a final assessment by taking a few more bowling sessions to take a call on his match-readiness.

"It's feeling good. I had a couple of good sessions in Perth this week, so having a big day where I'd bowl around 10 overs then a couple of quieter days and then going again. It's on track and pulling up pretty well. I'm half a chance for the next game. I'll have a couple more bowls and then there could be potentially up to two weeks before the next (Test). I'm pretty hopeful and it's probably better than it was a few weeks ago,” Cummins told Kayo Sports.

Cummins’ recovery has been slow and carefully managed, given the sensitive nature of back injuries. At one stage, he feared he would not take part in the Ashes at all. He said that a final decision on his availability for the Gabba Test will be made after discussions with Australia’s physios, medical staff, and selectors. However, if his recent net sessions in Perth are any indication, Cummins appears to be in strong contention to be declared fit for the match.

"There were probably times where I thought I wasn't going to play a game. It's been tough. You just want to be in amongst it. The whole cricketing world is watching, and you just wish you were out there. There's a few things at play, and obviously I'm not coming off a lot of cricket, so you want to get a bit of a feel, have a look at the wicket and work out how you think the game may pan out and make a decision. If I don't want to play, then no one is ever going to put me in that position,” Cummins said.

The first Test had the hosts winning the match on the second day itself to go 1-0 up in the five-match series. The Brisbane fixture will be played in a Pink-Ball affair.