Even if Pat Cummins is unavailable, England can’t take Australia lightly, said England’s Test vice-captain.
Currently ranked fourth among Test bowlers, Cummins has long been at the top. His absence would be a relief for any opponent. England’s vice-captain Harry Brook acknowledged that if Cummins misses out, it could give England an advantage in the Ashes.
There is growing concern over Cummins’ availability at the start of the upcoming Ashes in Australia, beginning 21 November. The home captain has yet to recover from a back injury.
According to Australian media, Cummins is unlikely to play the first Test and might even miss the entire series.
Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald remains hopeful of having Cummins from the start of the series, but he admits that the 32-year-old has very little time to get fully fit.
During a question session at the Professional Cricketers’ Association awards, Brook was asked about the potential advantage for England if Cummins is sidelined. He acknowledged the benefit but emphasized that England cannot underestimate Australia.
“From what I see, if Cummins isn’t in their team for the first match, hopefully it will work in our favor,” Brook said. “Of course, he’s an outstanding bowler and has played for many years; he’s a high-quality pacer who bowls at great speed.”
“But they have many other excellent bowlers, especially their pacers, so we cannot take anyone lightly.”
The famous Ashes trophy, the “Urn,” has been with Australia for the past eight years. This time, the battle returns to their home turf, where England hasn’t won a Test since 2010.
