Australian skipper Pat Cummins announced on Friday his intention to resume playing at the Indian Premier League following recovery from a persistent injury that kept him out of the Champions Trophy.
The fast bowler, aged 31, has been contending with an ongoing left ankle problem that worsened during the Test series victory against India in December-January.
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He was absent from both the successful two-Test series in Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, where Australia, led by Steve Smith, begin their campaign against England on Saturday.
Speaking to cricket.com.au, Cummins expressed his commitment to fulfil his contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad when the IPL commences on March 22.
“The ankle is starting to come good,” he said. “It’s a funny one –- it’s not like a hamstring where you need six weeks (to recover). It’s one of those ones where it really just needs a bit (more) rest to settle down. So we just ran out of time for Pakistan.”
Cummins clarified that the injury wasn’t recent nor would it cause long-term concerns.
“It’s just one of those ones you’ve got to manage. A bit of a break now, hopefully it sets it up for the next year or so,” he said.
Post-IPL, Australia are scheduled for the World Test Championship final versus South Africa at Lord’s on June 11. Cummins believes the IPL’s competitive nature will provide suitable preparation for returning to Test cricket.
“Physically it’s quite a nice build-up for the World Test Championship final, and then the Test matches after that,” he said. “That’s the aim at this stage -– start bowling over the next week or so, building up, and should be right for IPL.”