Aussies wary over quicks on little rest

All eyes are on Pat Cummins' quad after his issues in Perth, but Australia are monitoring the recovery of all three quicks after calling in Test reinforcements.

PAT CUMMINS of Australia prepares to bowl during the First Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes Series at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia
PAT CUMMINS of Australia prepares to bowl during the First Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes Series at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Australia will monitor the fitness of all three of their frontline quicks after bringing in uncapped speedster Lance Morris as one of two new squad members for Adelaide.

The hosts' main concern for the second Test against West Indies centres around captain Pat Cummins, who was unable to bowl in the second innings in Perth due to a quad complaint.

However his injury has exacerbated the situation for the other quicks, with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc asked to complete 43 and 45 overs respectively in the 164-run win.

Those numbers have left officials wary over how the pair pull up, with just three days off between Tests and a monster schedule ahead with few gaps.

Australia have no more than a four-day break between any Test this summer, while players will also only have three weeks between the last Test in Sydney against South Africa and flying to India for four more matches.

It means officials will take the cautious approach regarding their pace attack, with Scott Boland favoured to come in for Cummins if needed while Morris and Michael Neser have been added as cover to offer balance if any one of the group are out.

"Bowling last and a short turn-around, put stress and strain on your bowling stock," coach Andrew McDonald said.

"We know we've got other guys that are there ready and available. See how our guys pull up and then move from there.

"We've got to respect that, the short turn-around.

"At the moment as it sits they've pulled up well, both Josh and Mitch. Patty's obviously the major concern, and we erred on the side of caution with him."

Cummins will be given until as late as the toss on Thursday afternoon to prove his fitness if required, with McDonald labelling him a 50-50 chance.

The Australian coach also defended the decision to leave him on the field on Sunday in case he was required to bowl, with Cummins reasoning after play it was by choice that he did not break into anything more than a jog in the field.

"Was he at risk out there doing what he was doing? No," McDonald said.

"He was able to manage the tempo in which he ran. We felt as though him being out there was helping us so that we were in control of the game.

"We can we can leave it right up to the to the toss if we want (to see if he will play in Adelaide).

"He's our captain, we're going to give him every chance to get out there, and ... even the way he marshalled the troops out there was impressive."

Meanwhile, Morris' call up to his first Australian squad is a clear sign selectors have an eye on him for the future.

Most likely considered a like-for-like if Starc did not recover in time, the West Australian is the leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield this year with 27 at an average of 18.40.

The 24-year-old has the ability to bowl at up to 150km/h, and has long been considered one of the country's best young pace talents.

Steve Smith will captain Australia if Cummins does not play, after leading the side in Adelaide last year, when Neser made his debut.