"Cummins, 32, was absent from the series opener in Perth as he underwent the final stages of rehabilitation from a lower back stress injury that was first detected back in July. Steve Smith stepped up to captain as the hosts secured a 1-0 lead with an eight-wicket victory inside two days. But despite being left out of Australia's initial squad for the day-night second Test in Brisbane, Cummins still travelled with the team and appears to have ticked every box in training since."
"The question now is whether a hug between Cummins and head coach Andrew McDonald during a leadership meeting after training was confirmation of a return or simply done to throw on-looking reporters. Smith and chief selector George Bailey were also part of this pitch-side chat, before a fire alarm saw the ground briefly evacuated. Speaking earlier in the day, Smith said: He's looked pretty good to me, the way he's bowled in the nets."
Pat Cummins missed the Perth opener while completing final rehabilitation for a lower back stress injury first detected in July. Steve Smith captained in Perth as Australia secured a 1-0 lead with an eight-wicket win inside two days. Cummins travelled with the squad to Brisbane despite initial omission and has reportedly met fitness targets in training. Australia will delay naming its XI until the toss at 1.30pm local time on Thursday. Selectors may either drop Nathan Lyon for an all-seam attack or omit Brendan Doggett despite his five-wicket debut. Team interactions and Smith's praise for Cummins' net form have heightened expectations of a return.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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