Cummins & Hazlewood Near Return for 2nd Ashes Test

England’s Ashes nightmare is far from over. Just days after suffering a demoralizing 8-wicket drubbing in the series opener at Perth’s Optus Stadium , the visitors have received more bad news. Australia’s fearsome pace duo, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, are back in the nets and edging dangerously close to full fitness for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane . For a team already reeling, this is a body blow.

Table of Contents

1. Perth Aftermath: England’s Early Demise
2. The Cummins-Hazlewood Boost for Australia
3. What This Means for England
4. The Road Ahead: Second Ashes Test Schedule
5. Conclusion
6. Sources

Perth Aftermath: England’s Early Demise

The first Ashes Test in Perth was a masterclass in Australian dominance and English fragility. After electing to bat, England were skittled out for just 172 in their first innings. Their second innings fared no better, collapsing to a paltry 164 . In stark contrast, the Aussie batters, led by a blistering 123 off 83 balls from Travis Head, chased down the modest target of 205 with ease, winning by 8 wickets .

This comprehensive loss has left England not just on the back foot in the series, but scrambling for answers on how to handle Australia’s potent, yet weakened, pace attack. Now, that attack is about to get its full firepower back.

The Cummins-Hazlewood Boost for Australia

The absence of captain Pat Cummins and veteran Josh Hazlewood was a significant talking point before the Perth Test. Cummins was ruled out with a back stress injury sustained during the West Indies tour , while Hazlewood was nursing a hamstring issue . Their replacements, Scott Boland and Michael Neser, performed admirably, but their return elevates the Australian attack to a whole new level.

In a major morale boost for the hosts, both pacers have been spotted bowling in the nets. Photos from local media show the pair back in action, a clear sign their recovery is on track . Cummins himself has hinted at a return for the Gabba Test, stating he’s progressing well with his rehab . This development is a nightmare scenario for England’s already struggling batters.

Impact on Australia’s Bowling Lineup

The potential return of the two spearheads would completely reshape Australia’s bowling strategy:

• Pat Cummins: Returns as captain and the world’s leading Test bowler, bringing control, aggression, and the crucial ability to take wickets with the old ball.
• Josh Hazlewood: Known as the ‘Yorker King,’ his metronomic line and length are a constant threat, especially in the first and second sessions of a Test match.
• Full-Strength Attack: The trio of Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc is widely regarded as one of the most lethal pace attacks in modern Test cricket. If all three are fit, it presents an almost insurmountable challenge.

What This Means for England

England’s task was already monumental. They need to regroup from a catastrophic loss and devise a plan to survive against Australia’s quicks. The prospect of facing a fully-fit Cummins and Hazlewood in Brisbane, a venue that traditionally offers a good balance of pace and bounce, is terrifying.

Their top order, which has looked shaky at best, will be under immense pressure from ball one. Joe Root, Harry Brook, and captain Ben Stokes will need to show immense mental fortitude to build a platform. If they fail again, England could find themselves in a 2-0 hole from which it’s historically very difficult to recover in an Ashes series.

This situation makes the next week of practice in Canberra, where they are scheduled for a warm-up match, absolutely critical . They must use this time not just to build runs, but to hone their techniques against high-quality pace bowling.

The Road Ahead: Second Ashes Test Schedule

The five-match Ashes Test series is just beginning. Here’s what’s coming up for both teams:

Match	Dates	Venue
1st Test	Nov 21-25, 2025	Perth Stadium, Perth
2nd Test (D/N)	Dec 4-8, 2025	The Gabba, Brisbane
3rd Test	Dec 17-21, 2025	Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

As you can see, the second Test is a day-night fixture at the Gabba, starting on December 4th . England has a short window to prepare, and the fitness updates on the Australian pacers will be the primary storyline in the build-up.

Conclusion

Australia’s 1-0 lead in the Ashes Test series is already a strong position, but the imminent return of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood transforms it into a position of near-total dominance. For England, the challenge has escalated from difficult to near-impossible. Their ability to show resilience and adapt in the next two weeks will define their entire Ashes campaign. One thing is certain: the Gabba Test promises to be a high-stakes, high-intensity battle that could all but decide the urn.

Sources

For more in-depth cricket statistics and historical records, visit the official ICC website.

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