Chair of selectors George Bailey struck a positive tone while speaking to reporters in Perth on Saturday, saying Cummins\u2019 recovery from a back issue was progressing well. \"I actually have no further update on that from when I think the last time Pat spoke. It\u2019s progressing. He\u2019s building up. He\u2019s optimistic about it. I think actually the more he\u2019s done over the last few days, the more optimistic he\u2019s become, but I categorically don\u2019t know if he\u2019s bowled a ball,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cummins had earlier admitted he was less likely than likely to be fit for Perth and would need at least four weeks of bowling to be ready. Despite that uncertainty, Bailey said there were positive signs in the skipper\u2019s training workload.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe know time is getting short and there\u2019s permutations around that, not just around the back, but other factors as well. It\u2019s positive. We\u2019re really confident that he\u2019s going to play a major part. Hopefully it\u2019s the first Test. If not, then we\u2019ll pick it up,\u201d Bailey added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If Cummins fails to recover in time, Steven Smith will captain Australia. Bailey confirmed Smith\u2019s return from New York and said he will play the next two Sheffield Shield games for New South Wales.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bailey also provided updates on Cameron Green and Beau Webster, both of whom have been carefully managed due to minor injuries. \u201cIt is minor and it\u2019s conservative, and I think this decision probably ensures that we do have enough time to make sure,\u201d Bailey said on Green\u2019s side soreness.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe put so much time and energy into building out the plan for him to be available for the first Test as an allrounder. He\u2019ll keep his plan of playing Shield round three and Shield four... that should provide pretty good time that he\u2019d be in a good place to be ready to bowl.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also assured fans that Webster, recovering from a rolled ankle, was \u201ca lock\u201d for the first Test squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cLast time he rolled his ankle, I think about five weeks later, he had a bit of a soft tissue injury. We just sort of [took] Beau through the journey of let\u2019s work back from Sydney, rather than up to Perth... for the sake of one extra week, get it right. I think his all-round package has been really important. He\u2019ll be in Perth. Everyone can relax,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also assured fans that Webster, recovering from a rolled ankle, was \u201ca lock\u201d for the first Test squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI liked the intent, I liked the movement, liked the way he built the partnerships. It\u2019s a nice bowling attack South Australia have got, so he\u2019s batting nicely. We know he\u2019s a quality player,\" he concluded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n