Pat Cummins ready to feature in 2nd Ashes Test? Australia star provides major fitness update

After observing Pat Cummins in a training session ahead of The Ashes opener in Perth, Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey feels that the the pacer is "ready to go". He remarked that Cummins was clocking speeds of over 140 km/h effortlessly during the session so it very well can only be a matter of time before he makes his much-awaited return to international cricket.

Cummins, who has been ruled out of the Ashes opener, may very well be in action during the second Test of the series that will commence from December 4 at The Gabba in Brisbane. Carey hopes for the 32-year-old to be back as soon as possible so that the missing depth in the playing XI can be restored.

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“I've got to keep a lid on it a little bit. I saw him bowling in the nets yesterday… he looked ready to go! I guess it's the build up now. It's probably not so much bowling the ball at 140(km/h), because it looked like he did that pretty effortlessly yesterday. It's probably the work around the game fitness, so to speak," Carey told SEN's The Run Home.

“Fingers crossed he keeps pulling up well and gets himself ready. We all know he is a professional, so fingers crossed we see him back sooner rather than later. There's great depth in this group, so if it's not next game, hopefully it's soon," he added.

Australia to be without Hazlewood too

Meanwhile, Australia will be without both Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the Ashes opener that is set to take place at the Optus stadium in Perth. This will see the pace line being led by the duo of Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. Additionally, Brendan Doggett is expected to make his debut in the upcoming match that will begin from November 21. It remains to be seen if Cummins will be able to make a comeback into the squad for the second Test or if he will stay on the sidelines for a longer time.

Squads for both teans -

Australia's squad for The Ashes: Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

England's squad for The Ashes: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.