Australia's injured pace sensation Pat Cummins has set a target of returning to international cricket for next month's tour of the Caribbean.
The 18-year-old paceman is planning to resume bowling in the next fortnight, but it will be another three or four weeks before he reaches top speed.
Cummins said he was aiming to make a comeback to competitive cricket in a first-grade game for Penrith this month, or early next month, but will otherwise largely rely on net form to convince national selectors of his fitness for One-day cricket in the Caribbean.
The selectors will be wary of rushing the youngster back and risking another injury, especially after Australia's pace attack-destroyed India's strong batting line-up.
"The main thing everyone has said is don't rush and try and race back for something, and then end up doing it again and you're out for another three months. It's a bit out of everyone's hands Just playing it by ear and, when it's ready, it's ready. I'd love to be on that West Indies tour," Cummins said.
Cricket Australia''s medical staff thought in December that Cummins could resume bowling in mid-January, but his recovery has been unpredictable, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Cummins has been able to jog in 50-metre intervals and complete zigzag runs without any ill effects for the first time since breaking down on Test debut in South Africa in November.
The next phase of Cummins's recovery will see him bowling without a ball, which is designed to help his foot adjust to the bowling action, then hopefully get the ball in the hand in the next two weeks or so.
