England sent warning with Australia talisman set to return for next Ashes Test

England’s Ashes nightmare could go from bad to worse with Pat Cummins declaring that he is fit to return.

The Aussie captain has missed the first two Tests due to a back problem, but he’s set to be involved at Adelaide.

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It was revealed earlier this year that Cummins would definitely miss the first Test in Perth due to this back issue.

He was then expected to return for the Brisbane day/night Test at The Gabba.

However, he has taken no part in it at all, but they haven’t missed him, and he’s now sent an ominous warning message to England.

Speaking on day three at The Gabba, Cummins confirmed he would be available and is feeling back to his best.

Speaking to Fox Cricket, he said: “I should be right for Adelaide.

“So, I’ll have one more bowl tomorrow, and then we’ll go to Adelaide and have another bowl there.

“So, barring any hiccups, I’ll be good to go.

“Body feels great. I am bowling at 100 per cent.”

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They haven’t even missed him

Cummins isn’t the only key Australian who has missed out for the hosts.

Josh Hazlewood has yet to bowl in anger yet due to a hamstring issue.

But he’s suffered a setback with a sore Achilles, which is set to keep him out of the third Test.

There was a lot of talk about England having a great chance with Cummins and Hazlewood out, but it hasn’t mattered.

This is because of Mitchell Starc’s form.

The experienced left-arm fast bowler is always Australia’s strike bowler, but he is usually backed up by Cummins and Hazlewood.

However, in their absence, he has more than delivered for his country.

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In the first Test at Perth, Starc claimed the wicket of Zak Crawley inside the first over before going on to finish with figures of 7-56.

These were his greatest Test match figures, and he followed it up in the second innings with three more.

That ensured he had ten for the match and became the first Australian player to do that since Shane Warne.

Here at The Gabba, he was on fire in the first innings again, claiming the wicket of Ben Duckett in the first over once more.

This time, he made it to six wickets in the first innings, but he did achieve GOAT status.

This is because he passed Wasim Akram on the all-time Test wicket list, which doesn’t sound too groundbreaking, but it is when you find out no left-arm fast bowler has now claimed more Test wickets than Starc.

He still wasn’t done there, though, as he batted time for his team to ensure that they would be bowling under the lights.

It helped that he scored 77 as well to take Australia past 500 with a lead of close to 180.

And before close of play on day three, Starc removed England’s centurion from the first innings – Joe Root.

It has put the Aussies on the cusp of victory, and once Cummins returns, he has Starc to thank for holding down the fort.