Should cummins

New Delhi: Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said he remains confident of skipper Pat Cummins playing a significant role in the upcoming Ashes series, despite currently being sidelined with a lumbar bone stress issue that flared up during the Test tour of the West Indies.

Cummins, 32, is currently undergoing a period of rest and rehabilitation, but has indicated that he expects to resume bowling well ahead of the Ashes. With over two months remaining before the first Ashes Test against England begins at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21, McDonald believes there is ample time for Cummins to recover.

“We're confident that he's going to partake in the Ashes. I think to sensationalise that he's not (going to play) would be an overreaction. It's not ideal. I'm not going to sit here and say that it's ideal. He does have a lumbar bone stress issue there. So, he'll just work through what his return to play looks like.