I was going to have a bowl but pretty happy I managed not to bowl – Pat Cummins on WI Test

Pat Cummins is confident of being fit for the second Test against West Indies, beginning on Thursday in Adelaide, despite not bowling in the final innings of Australia’s win in the first Test in Perth following a minor quad strain.

Pat Cummins is confident of being fit for the second Test against West Indies, beginning on Thursday in Adelaide, despite not bowling in the final innings of Australia’s win in the first Test in Perth following a minor quad strain.

Cummins, who was running for balls in the outfield on Sunday at Perth Stadium to safeguard his quad, will be given right up until Thursday morning to prove his fitness. 

However, Australia is thinking about adding further pace-bowling reserves to their squad to supplement Scott Boland who is the current backup.

“I felt okay,”

Cummins said.

“It was more not trying to run as opposed to being restricted to run. I felt all right. If it got a bit tighter, I was going to have a bowl but pretty happy I managed not to bowl to give myself a good chance.

“It’s just a small strain so normally about a one-weaker, and if you bowl you make it worse and can make it longer. I’ll spend the next few days rehabbing getting it right and I think it’s a pretty good chance I’ll be good for Adelaide.”

Cummins expressed that the medical staff would have a significant say in whether he took the field in Adelaide or not, with Australia’s selectors mindful that the bowlers have five Test matches to play in this home summer with very short turnarounds between them.

“It was the thought process the last couple of days,”

Cummins said.

“You don’t want to turn a one-week injury into a three or four-week injury and you potentially miss the summer. So we’ll weigh all that up. As I said, I felt pretty comfortable out there. Give it a few days. It already feels pretty good.

“The physio might be less optimistic but I think I’ll be fine. I’m sure I’ll have running and a bit of bowling to make sure I’m right.

“I guess I’ll have a similar prep to Joshy [Josh Hazlewood] and Starcy [Mitchell Starc] which would maybe be a light bowl the day before. Now might be a bit different. I’ve got to probably prove myself and have at least one bowl. Every Test match is always a slightly different prep. I’m not too bothered. Hopefully, I pass the fitness test and I’m good to go.”