Overview

• McDonald acknowledged Cummins is running out of time for the Perth Test and indicated he likely needs to be bowling at least four weeks before November 21 to reduce setback risk.
• Cummins has been out since a July back issue and only recently returned to running, with no clearance yet to resume bowling.
• If he misses the first Test, reports indicate Steve Smith could lead and Scott Boland would likely slot in alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
• England have confirmed their squad with Ben Stokes as captain and Harry Brook as vice-captain, and Brook said Cummins' potential absence would "hopefully" help while urging against underestimating Australia.
• McDonald noted "positive signs" in Cummins' recovery and expressed cautious optimism the skipper could feature at some stage in the series.