Identifying a potential stand-in for Pat Cummins in case of his unavailability for the Ashes Series in Australia.
Australia's cricket squad is shaping up for the upcoming Ashes series, with several key players recovering from injuries and preparing to take the field.
Pat Cummins, the Australian fast bowler, is set to miss the white-ball series against New Zealand and India due to a back injury. Cummins is suffering from 'lumbar bone stress', and it remains uncertain whether he will play any cricket before the Ashes begins in Perth on November 21. However, there is optimism that Cummins will still be fit to play in the first Test.
In Cummins' absence, Steven Smith, Australia's former Test vice-captain, has stood in as captain in the past. If Cummins is unavailable for the Ashes, Scott Boland's chances of making the squad are bolstered by Cam Green's return to bowling. Boland's Test career has been exceptional and stop-start, with 62 wickets at 16.53 and two five-wicket-hauls. Boland demonstrated his readiness to play whenever the opportunity arises, having taken seven wickets at the MCG against England on Test debut in 2021.
Meanwhile, other Australian bowlers are also recovering from injuries. Sean Abbott, who was part of the Test squads for the tours of Sri Lanka earlier this year and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home, did not make the final XI in the West Indies series but was called-up as Doggett's replacement for the tour. Doggett, who picked up a minor hip injury, was travelling reserve in Australia's World Test Championship Trophy squad in June.
Brendan Doggett had an impressive Sheffield Shield season, taking 11-140 in the final for South Australia earlier this year. Michael Neser, Queensland's highest-wicket taker in last year's Shield, suffered a hamstring injury in an Australia A match ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
As the Ashes draw near, the Australian cricket team will be looking to field their strongest squad possible. With several key players recovering from injuries, fans can expect an exciting and competitive series when the Ashes begin in Perth on November 21.
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