Pat Cummins Targets Adelaide Comeback After Long Injury Pause

Australia woke up to a calmer dressing room mood on Saturday. Pat Cummins, who has drifted in and out of plans since that lower-back strain, finally declared he feels ready for the third Ashes Test. The side has looked steady, yet you could sense a missing piece whenever the attack lacks momentum.

The captain spent more than three months rehabbing the injury that halted him during the West Indies series. Those weeks stretched longer than anyone liked as his back issue arrived at the worst possible moment. He missed Perth and sat through the ongoing Gabba day-nighter. 

Now, he sounded lighter. “I’ll have one more bowl tomorrow in the nets and then head to Adelaide for another. If everything holds, I’m good to go.” Simple words, but they carried weight. His teammates know his standards. When he says the body feels fine, he usually means it.

Selectors Face A Juggle

In his absence, Steve Smith has guided the group in a very intelligent manner. Scott Boland stepped into the fast-bowling role and worked tirelessly. Josh Hazlewood, meanwhile, remains doubtful for Adelaide, which leaves the panel balancing two decisions at once. Suddenly, the selection looks crowded even though the attack is stretched.

Brendan Doggett impressed in short bursts, while Michael Neser offered control. That one moment flipped everything when Cummins confirmed he was close; the whole rotation shifted in people’s minds. The curiosity and excitement were building around the selection talk as soon as his interview aired.

Cummins admitted he nearly played at the Gabba. “It just felt a bit too acute and didn’t really feel fair on the other bowlers,” he said. “Didn’t feel like the right Test to take that risk, so push it down the road for a week.” 

Road Back To Adelaide

For Australia, a fit Cummins does more than anchor the attack. He sharpens the edges around Smith’s field settings and gives the side a presence that opponents notice immediately. 

The next 48 hours will decide whether he boards the Adelaide flight with full clearance. If he does, Australia’s pattern in this series changes overnight. If he doesn’t, the selectors return to the puzzle that has followed them for two Tests.

Either way, Cummins’ voice sounded different this time, and he looks confident to make a comeback.