Since cummins

Steve Smith: With just a month before the start of the Ashes, veteran Australian batter Steve Smith provided an update on Pat Cummins, who is struggling with a stress fracture in his back. Smith said that the bowler has a few things to tick off before returning to his bowling and that he doesn’t need much preparation for the series.

Cummins, who has been battling a back injury that has prevented him from bowling since July, resumed running a couple of weeks ago after scans showed some improvement in the lower-back stress injury.

Cummins had earlier admitted he was less likely than likely to be fit for Perth and would require at least four weeks of bowling to be ready.