More problems for England: Cummins and Hazlewood near full fitness ahead of second Ashes Test | Cricket News
Australia received a major boost ahead of the second day-night Ashes Test with injured spearheads Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins playing in the nets on Tuesday. The development is a worrying sign for England, who were dominated in the opening Test in Perth – a contest which Australia ended in just two days with an emphatic eight-wicket victory.Go beyond borders with our YouTube channel. REGISTER NOW!Hazlewood has been out of action since straining his hamstring during a Sheffield Shield match six days before the Perth Test. His absence opened the door for Brendan Doggett, while Cummins was sidelined with a persistent lower back problem, forcing Scott Boland into the XI.
The two frontline quicks were spotted training at Cricket NSW headquarters during New South Wales’ ongoing Shield match against Tasmania. Local media footage showed Cummins operating at full throttle with the pink ball, a clear indication of his preparation for the pink ball Test in Brisbane on December 4. Hazlewood, still undergoing rehabilitation, played with a red ball, signaling a more cautious approach.Cummins admitted this weekend he had “half a chance” of returning for the second Test after an encouraging nets session in Perth. Hazlewood, however, remains a major doubt despite steady progress.Head coach Andrew McDonald said Australia would make a final decision closer to the match, but expressed confidence both quicks would feature at some point in the series.“We expect him to be in the series,” McDonald said of Hazlewood. “There is still some initial rehabilitation to do before we know exactly where he is.”Regarding Cummins, McDonald was much more optimistic: “There are a lot of positives. It’s now about building resilience and not rushing things too much.”As England reel from their two-day collapse in Perth, the potential return of Cummins – and perhaps Hazlewood – fades away. Ben StokesThe team faces even greater pressure ahead of the crucial second Test.
