Pat Cummins outlines timeline for return from back injury
Pat Cummins is hopeful of returning for the backend of the upcoming IPL before spearheading Australia's World Test Championship bid later in the year.
Australia captain Pat Cummins has mapped out a plan that will help him return from his long-term back injury.
Cummins has featured in just one fixture for Australia since he first hurt his back in the middle of last year and missed out on the Aussies' disappointing campaign at the recent ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Skipper Cummins sparkles for AUS with a six-for | Player Highlights | WTC25 Final
Australia captain Pat Cummins starred with a sensational six-for to secure as Australia secured a first-innings lead.
With a stint at the Indian Premier League with Sunrisers Hyderabad quickly approaching ahead of a busy international schedule at the backend of the year that includes crucial red-ball series as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship, Cummins has indicated that he is inching ever so closer to making a comeback to competitive cricket.
While Cummins is planning to sit out the start of the IPL that commences on Saturday, the Australia captain believes he will be fit to feature for the Sunrisers towards the middle of the tournament and plans to play the entire second half of the event.
"I'm still recovering from a back injury, but it's good. I'm back bowling in the nets," Cummins said recently on the Business of Sport podcast.
"The IPL is starting soon. I won't make the start of that, but it shouldn't be too long before I'm back out there playing.
"I'm back bowling. I'm bowling basically every third day at the moment. We've mapped out a plan to get me right by (the) middle of the tournament, so hopefully, if nothing goes wrong, (I will) play the back half plus the finals."
Cummins ripper sends Mulder packing | WTC25 Final
Australia skipper Pat Cummins gets in on the action, cleaning up Wiaan Mulder to make it three wickets for Australia.
Australia's next scheduled international fixture comes int he form of a two-Test series at home against Bangladesh in August, before the side gets a chance for revenge for last year's defeat in the World Test Championship Final at Lord's when they take on South Africa in three matches away from home.
There is also white-ball fixtures that will be played as part of Australia's tour of South Africa in September and October, while the side will host trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand for four Tests this upcoming summer.
Australia currently sit at the top of the World Test Championship standings and will be targeting some positive results from their upcoming fixtures to earn another chance at next year's final at Lord's.
