AUS vs ENG: Pat Cummins Declares Himself Fit Ahead Of Fifth Test, Shares Update On Mitchell Starc And Mitchell Marsh

Australian skipper Pat Cummins has declared himself fit ahead of the fifth and final Test at The Oval. Cummins has played every Test for Australia since the WTC Final against India at the Oval on June 7-11.

The Australian skipper will be playing his sixth Test in eight weeks. He also declared Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh match fit ahead of the final Test.

Australia are 2-1 ahead in the series and a 3-1 victory margin would give them an Ashes series win. It will also be their first Ashes win in England in the last 22 years. They already retained the urn after the fourth Test in Manchester ended in a draw.

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Starc struggled with a shoulder problem after landing awkwardly during last week’s Old Trafford Test, while Marsh spent time off the field with soreness.

Everyone Should Be Alright: Pat Cummins On Players’ Fitness Ahead Of Fith Test

“Everyone should be alright,” said Cummins also hinting that Todd Murphy might play the final Test. With Marsh paying well, Murphy’s inclusion might see Cameron Green get benched for the final Test.

Mitchell Marsh was “feeling pretty good. We’ll give it another 24 hours, but we expect he’d be able to bowl,” Cummins said.

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The Australian skipper further said that Nathan Lyon’s record at the Oval is one of the considerations for giving Murphy a go in the final Test. Lyon has taken 14 wickets at 24 in four Tests at the venue

“Nath Lyon’s got a very good record here, so I think that’ll be part of the conversation this week,” Cummins said.

Pat Cummins concluded by saying that he is happy with how Mitchell Starc is shaping up to play regular Test cricket for Australia. Starc has now played 81 Test matches, second-best after Glenn McGrath’s tally of 124 Tests for Australia.

“He’s got something going on there. But he’s come out and bowled [at Old Trafford]. We weren’t really sure about it. He’s got a history with it right now” Cummins said of Starc’s shoulder.

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