Brisbane Test ‘realistic’ for Cummins return – Lyon

Pat Cummins, captain of Australia’s first Ashes opener in Perth, will struggle with fitness, according to Australia spinner Nathan Lyon, who he believes could “realistically” make a second Test appearance in Brisbane.

Cummins, 32, is recovering from a back injury that had threatened to omit him from the highly anticipated series against England.

The fast bowler will play a “major part” in the five-match contest, according to Australia’s chair of selectors George Bailey, but Lyon believes the first Test, which will begin on November 21st, will be too soon.

If I’m being honest, it might be difficult to live through it, he said to ABC Sport.

“But in all fairness, I believe Brisbane [or] Adelaide might still have a big goal going.”

After scans revealed a lumbar bone stress injury in his back, Cummins was ruled out of Australia’s limited-overs series against India and New Zealand last month.

He has a history of back issues, with flareups in 2012, 2013, and 2015-16 that caused him to miss three summers in Australia.

“I personally believe that at some point, he’ll be a part of the series,” Lyon continued.

He is exerting every effort. You’re really proud of him for that because he’s a teammate, a captain, and he’s really leading the way by acting like an example. He is working his backwards.