SYDNEY: Australia captain Pat Cummins is on track to return for the second Ashes Test but admitted that he might not play all four remaining matches against England, given the short turnarounds between games.

Australia will be captained by Steve Smith as Cummins will miss the all-important Ashes opener due to a back injury and even though he expects to be bowling full tilt by the first Test, a decision on his return will be taken closer to the second Test starting December 4.

The 32-year-old, who has been sidelined by a lower-back injury since July, was able to bowl a spell of eight overs without feeling any pain in his back on Wednesday.

"That's the aim and we're building our plan to the second Test. It's probably not until you get a bit closer that you can really know where you're at

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