Australian Test captain Pat Cummins is edging closer to a return to action, with strong signs he will be fit in time for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane. The fast bowler has been working his way back from a back injury that has kept him out since July, and his recovery appears to be progressing according to plan. However, Cummins himself has been realistic about the challenges of maintaining full fitness through what is expected to be a physically demanding series.

"That's the aim and we're building our plan to the second Test. It's probably not until you get a bit closer that you can really know where you're at. The good thing is that I'm pulling up well, and the body is great. We're trying to keep that second Test as a live option. I'll have a really good bowl in Perth, and by then I'll know where I'm at," Cummins said at Seven Network's cricket launch on Thursday.

"I'm pretty keen to play as much as I can. But realistically, if we have a big game and bowl 40 or 50 overs and then there's a game that starts a few days later, it might be a bridge too far. I'm trying to get right, and if I get right then hopefully I'll try to play most of it as I can," Cummins stated.

Despite having been ruled out of the first Ashes Test, Cummins will be staying with Australia's squad in Perth.

"Before the 2023 ODI World Cup I flew over to South Africa and watched the last couple of ODIs there. It was actually a really different view from the coach's box. It's a different perspective."

"So hopefully I gather some information from being in that position through the Test that later on in the series I can use. Or maybe Steve Smith needs something and I have seen something differently from up there. But being close to the game and the conversations, I think I will need that going into the second or third Test," Cummins said.