Overview

• An update scan late last week showed the lumbar stress 'hot spot' is improving but not cleared for Cummins to resume bowling.
• Cricket Australia has declined to comment publicly, with Cummins also sidelined from this month’s ODI and T20I series against India.
• The 32-year-old has not bowled since July and has been restricted to gym work and cycling during rehabilitation.
• Scott Boland is framed as the likely third seamer alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for the Perth Test.
• Reports suggest a best-case return late in the series, but the tightly packed schedule from November 21 to January 8 limits his runway.