\u201cIt takes four plus weeks to get him up and running, and we\u2019ve run out of time,\u201d says Andrew McDonald
\n SYDNEY
\nAustralia fast bowler Pat Cummins will not be fit for the first Ashes Test in Perth next month and will be replaced as captain by Steve Smith, Cricket Australia said on Monday.
\nCummins has been sidelined by a lower-back issue since July and was already a major doubt for the series opener against England, which starts on November 21.
\nCoach Andrew McDonald said Cummins had now resumed running and would be back bowling this week, offering hope the 32-year-old might be fit to take part in the day-night second Test in Brisbane from December 4.
\n\u201cIt takes four plus weeks to get him up and running, and we\u2019ve run out of time, unfortunately, but really optimistic and hopeful for the second Test match,\u201d McDonald told reporters in Canberra.
\n\u201cHe\u2019ll be back bowling this week, and that\u2019s a huge step … so we\u2019re on the journey to that second Test match, and very hopeful that that will be a positive outcome.\u201d
\nCummins absence gives Boland an opportunity
\nCummins has been an ever-present in the Australia side for Ashes clashes since his first Test against England in the 2017-18 series, helping Australia first win back and then retain the urn ever since.
\nMcDonald admitted losing his captain and top fast bowler for the opening Test of a high-profile series was not ideal, but said there had been plenty of time to make contingency plans.
\nEven if the Australia squad for the series has not yet been announced, Scott Boland is almost certain to replace Cummins in the bowling attack at Perth Stadium alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
\nBoland has had infrequent opportunities at Test level over the years given Australia\u2019s depth in the fast-bowling department, but he has more often than not produced when called upon.
\nThe 36-year-old is particularly effective on Australia\u2019s hard decks and has taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 in his 14 Tests.
\n\u201cWhen you talk about Scott Boland being the potential replacement, it\u2019s not a bad position to be in,\u201d McDonald added.
\n\u201cAnd I suppose you get excited about when (Cummins) does come back. What an injection that will be to the group, a fully fit Pat Cummins returning at some stage during the Ashes.\u201d
\nSmith was sacked as captain in 2018 for his part in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal but has led the team six times in the absence of Cummins since his rehabilitation.
\n\u201cWe flip into Steve Smith being the captain, and we\u2019re incredibly fortunate to have such an experienced captain himself,\u201d McDonald said.
\n\u201cThey\u2019re a good working couple, so to speak … and Paddy will be around the group as well. So he\u2019ll come to Perth with us, I can declare that.\u201d
\nMcDonald also said the selectors would consider a Test recall for Mitch Marsh, even if Australia\u2019s white-ball captain said last week he would be watching the Ashes series beer in hand.
\n\u201cWe would be comfortable picking someone, and if you want to put a name to it Mitch Marsh, out of white-ball cricket if we felt like that was going to benefit the Test team,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cWe feel he\u2019s batting as well as he has for a long period of time … and we still haven\u2019t given up on Mitch Marsh\u2019s Test career.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cIt takes four plus weeks to get him up and running, and we\u2019ve run out of time,\u201d says Andrew McDonald SYDNEY Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins will not be fit for the first Ashes Test in Perth next month and will be replaced as captain by Steve Smith, Cricket Australia said on Monday. Cummins has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-511127","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n