LONDON — Australia captain Pat Cummins has declared he is "on track" to be fit for the second Ashes Test at Lord's, providing a major boost for the touring side as they look to build on their thrilling two-wicket victory in the series opener at Edgbaston.
Cummins, who bowled 55 overs in the first Test, missed Australia's training session on Tuesday at the Nursery Ground to manage a sore back, sparking immediate concern about his availability for the crucial second match of the series, which begins on Wednesday, June 28th. The fast bowler, however, was back with the squad on Wednesday, engaging in a light running session and expressing confidence in his recovery.
Speaking to reporters, Cummins addressed the minor injury scare directly. "It's fine. Just a little bit of a niggle. It's probably from the Test match, a couple of spells, but I've had a couple of days off and I'm on track for Wednesday," he said. He confirmed he would have a more thorough bowl on Sunday to test his readiness, but all signs are positive for the Australian skipper to lead his team out at the Home of Cricket.
The Edgbaston Aftermath and Workload
The first Test was a monumental physical effort for Cummins. Not only did he captain the side in a high-pressure run-chase, but he also shouldered a heavy bowling burden, especially after fellow quick Josh Hazlewood was managed carefully in his return to Test cricket. Cummins sent down 23 overs in England's second innings, including the final, match-winning spell where he and Nathan Lyon forged a memorable, unbroken 55-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
The toll of that effort was evident. "It was a pretty long couple of days in the field, but I've pulled up pretty well," Cummins stated. "It's more just general soreness. I've played enough Test matches to know you're not going to feel 100 percent the day after, but I'm confident it's nothing major."
Contingency Plans and Bowling Depth
While Cummins' prognosis is excellent, the Australian camp is well aware of the need to manage their premier fast bowlers across a congested five-Test series. Should Cummins suffer any setback before Wednesday, the tourists have a formidable replacement waiting in the wings: Mitchell Starc. The left-arm quick was controversially left out at Edgbaston in favour of Scott Boland, a decision that was vindicated by the result.
Starc's inclusion would offer a point of difference with his left-arm angle, extra pace, and ability to reverse-swing the ball, a potent weapon if the Lord's pitch begins to deteriorate. Other options include all-rounder Michael Neser, who has been in excellent form with both bat and ball for county side Glamorgan, providing additional batting depth.
The potential return of Starc, even as a direct replacement for Cummins, would force a difficult selection decision. The most likely scenarios being considered by the selection panel are:
- Retaining the same bowling attack if Cummins is fully fit.
- Bringing in Starc for Boland to add variety and firepower.
- In a more radical move, considering Neser as a like-for-like bowling replacement who strengthens the lower order.
England's Injury Concerns Mount
Australia's positive news stands in stark contrast to the growing injury list in the England camp. The hosts' premier spinner, Moeen Ali, is racing against time to be fit after suffering a blister on his right index finger that turned into a deep open wound during the first Test. Moeen bowled 33 overs in the second innings at Edgbaston, aggravating the issue significantly and leaving him unable to grip the ball properly.
England captain Ben Stokes provided an update, stating, "It's obviously not ideal. Mo's finger is pretty raw. He's going to need some time to let the skin heal. We'll have to see how he progresses over the next few days. He's a tough competitor and will do everything he can to be ready."
Potential Replacements for Moeen
Should Moeen be ruled out, England face a selection dilemma. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, 18, is the spare spinner in the squad and would offer a wrist-spinning option, but his inclusion would be a huge gamble. The more likely replacement would be all-rounder Will Jacks, who offers part-time off-spin, or seamer Josh Tongue, who impressed in the single Test he played against Ireland earlier this month.
Adding to England's woes, fast bowler Ollie Robinson missed the final day of the Edgbaston Test with a sore ankle. While he is expected to be fit for Lord's, it is another physical concern for a bowling attack that was put under immense pressure by Australia's batters in the first Test.
The Lord's Factor and Series Implications
Lord's holds a special place in Ashes history and is a ground where Australia have enjoyed recent success, having won there in 2015 and 2019. A victory for the tourists in London would put them in a commanding 2-0 series lead, a position from which no team in Ashes history has ever come back to lose the series. The importance of Cummins' fitness, therefore, cannot be overstated.
Cummins acknowledged the significance, saying, "Lord's is an iconic venue and we've had some good memories here. To go 2-0 up in an Ashes series in England would be massive. It's a huge Test match for both teams, and we're fully focused on starting well."
The Australian captain also praised his team's resilience at Edgbaston, a victory built on the back of Usman Khawaja's twin centuries and the nerve of the lower order. "It shows the character of this team. We never give up, and we believe we can win from any situation," he added.
A Tale of Two Captains' Fitness
The narrative of this Ashes series is increasingly being shaped by the physical condition of its two leaders. While Cummins appears to have dodged a bullet, England's Ben Stokes continues to manage a chronic left knee problem that visibly limited his bowling at Edgbaston. Stokes bowled just 14 overs in the entire match, placing a greater workload on his fellow bowlers.
This asymmetry in captaincy fitness could prove decisive. A fully-fit Cummins leading a four-pronged pace attack is Australia's ideal scenario. For England, a Stokes operating as a pure batter and part-time bowler diminishes their balance and tactical flexibility significantly. The ability of both men to withstand the rigours of a five-Test series will be a constant subplot.
As the teams head to London, the momentum is firmly with Australia. The return of their captain and premier fast bowler to full fitness would be the ideal start to their Lord's preparations. For England, the search for answers—both in selection and in how to break Australia's resilient batting lineup—becomes ever more urgent with the series on the line.