Cricket
Motorsport
Basketball test
League - Test
Combat Sports
Netball
Football
“Makes us look silly”: Starc says Cummins on track for Brisbane
Sam Kosack • November 20th, 2025 9:36 am
Mitchell Starc has provided an update on the fitness of Pat Cummins, saying the Australian captain is on track for a return in the second Test.
Cummins will miss the first Test in Perth after sustaining stress fractures in his back, with Steve Smith to captain the side in his absence.
Fellow quick Josh Hazlewood will also miss the first Test through injury, so the news of a swift return for Cummins, who at one stage was speculated to miss the entire series, will be a great relief to the Aussies.
Cummins was in action in the nets earlier this week and looked to be moving quite well ahead of his impending return, so much so that Starc reckons he made his teammates look silly.
“He looked more than okay. I now know why he doesn't train that much, because when he does, he makes us all look silly,” Starc told SEN 1170 Drive.
“He looks like he's firing. If all is going well, he looks like he's on track for Brisbane. He’s really positive with how he’s pulling up.
“His bowling the other day was elite… so I guess it’s just getting the clearance from the SSSM (sports science team) and how he’s backing up.
“He may be bowling again tomorrow or Friday. I’m not sure yet but it’s certainly very positive.”
Starc revealed the Aussies haven’t yet been informed of the line-up for the first Test, however, one player expected to make his Test debut is fast bowler Brendan Doggett.
With no Cummins or Hazlewood, Doggett, who currently represents South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, looms as the likely replacement alongside Scott Boland.
Having toured with him once before, Starc is excited about the prospect of Doggett’s debut, believing the quick can have a significant impact in the series if given the chance.
“He’s certainly an athlete,” Starc said.
“I first toured with Brendan back in 2018… we’ve seen him dominate domestic cricket. His skills are elite.
“He’s probably a bit more sure of himself now (he has) a few more years of experience.
“He’s still an incredible athlete so if he gets the nod this week, I’m really excited to see what he can do.
“I think we as a group know what he can do and what his skills are, but I think for him to put on a show and hopefully dominate this week would be great.”
Starc couldn't resist taking a cheeky jab at the English side ahead of the first Ashes Test after it was revealed the fierce rivals would be sharing a hotel in Perth.
The Aussies had their main training session on Wednesday ahead of an optional session on Thursday, briefly crossing paths with the Poms, who kicked a soccer ball around on the ground.
“This is the only test match that'll happen, but we're all staying in the same hotel which is, I guess, unusual in terms of cricket stuff because we’re always generally in different hotels and generally the home team gets the really nice hotel,” Starc revealed.
“When you’re in England, they stick you in something else so it’s a bit different this week when we might be in the lift with a few guys. I haven’t come across too many of them at the moment.
“It sounds like they’re enjoying what Australia’s got to offer. I think they’ve had a few sherbets and played a bit of golf.
“For us, we’re getting on with the job but I’m sure we’ll bump into a few of them as the week progresses.”
The first Test starts on Friday, with every ball live on SEN Cricket.
