Pat Cummins concedes workload will have to be managed with intense Ashes schedule

Captain Cummins will miss the first Ashes Test, starting 21 November in Perth, as a precaution following a stress injury in his back that has sidelined him since July. While the quick hasn't experienced any pain in net bowling, Cricket Australia is understandably exercising an abundance of caution.

While the 32-year-old confirmed he is on target to feature in the second Test, it's the hectic Ashes schedule that is his concern. There are only four-day gaps between the third, fourth and fifth Tests and Cummins admitted his workload would likely have to be managed.

"That's the aim and we're building our plan to the second Test," he confirmed on the Seven Network.

"I'm pretty keen to play as much as I can. But realistically, if we have a big game and bowl 40 or 50 overs and then there's a game that starts a few days later, it might be a bridge too far.

"I'm trying to get right, and if I get right then hopefully I'll try to play most of it as I can."

But Cummins will still be heavily involved in the team setup. Rather than a Sheffield Shield game, Cummins feels he can be useful in the coaches' box.

"Before the 2023 ODI World Cup, I flew over to South Africa and watched the last couple of ODIs there," he revealed.

"It was actually a really different view from the coach's box. It's a different perspective.

"So hopefully I gather some information from being in that position through the Test that later on in the series I can use. Or maybe Steve Smith needs something and I have seen something differently from up there.

"But being close to the game and the conversations, I think I will need that going into the second or third Test."