Overview

• Cummins said he is "less likely than likely" to play the first Test on November 21 as he continues recovering from a lumbar bone-stress injury.
• He has not bowled since July's West Indies tour and expects to start light bowling preparation next week, with turf bowling still a couple of weeks away.
• Coach Andrew McDonald indicated roughly four weeks of bowling is required before selection to reduce the risk of re-injury, a timeline Cummins endorsed.
• If he is out, Steve Smith is expected to captain with Scott Boland likely joining Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the pace attack.
• Cummins will miss the upcoming white-ball series against India, and he declined to guarantee availability for the day-night second Test at the Gabba.