Mark Taylor Advocates for Pat Cummins' Return in Ashes Test

Cummins' Potential Comeback in the Ashes

Brisbane [Australia], December 3: Former Australian Test captain Mark Taylor has expressed that if Pat Cummins is fit, he should be included in the team, as reported by a local sports outlet. The second Test match between Australia and England in the Ashes series is scheduled to begin on December 4.

Steve Smith, who is currently leading the team in Cummins' absence, was anticipated to reveal the squad for the Gabba Test during a press conference on Wednesday. However, he opted not to disclose the lineup, citing that several decisions were still under consideration.

The key focus remains on Pat Cummins, who missed the first Test due to a back injury but may be available for the upcoming pink-ball Test, despite not being part of the squad announced last week.

Smith noted that Cummins has been bowling effectively and that his return is still a possibility. He stated, “He looks pretty good to me, the way he has bowled in the nets. Obviously, games are different intensity, but he’s tracking really nicely and knows his body well, and we’ll wait and see.”

Mark Taylor emphasized that excluding Cummins from the team would be challenging if he is fit. He remarked, “I tell you right now, if Pat Cummins is ready to go, it’d be hard to leave him out.”

Taylor suggested that with a full-strength bowling lineup, including Cummins, Starc, Boland, and others, Australia could adopt an aggressive approach to secure a win in the Test. He believes that taking a 2-0 lead would make them nearly invincible.

“If Australia picked him tomorrow, and he’s bowling at his best, and you add Mitch Starc, who’s currently in great form, and Scotty Boland, who has found his rhythm, along with Cameron Green and possibly Beau Webster, Nathan Lyon… Australia might go all out attack to try and win this Test match, which I rather like, because if they go 2-0 up, they’re just about unbeatable,” Taylor added.

He concluded by stating that it would be quite difficult for England to win the remaining three Tests in Australia to claim the series, advocating for Cummins' inclusion if he is ready. “If Pat Cummins is ready to go, I’d be saying let’s get him in, let’s go for the jugular,” Taylor remarked.