"Huge step" in Cummins bid to be fit for an Ashes Test

Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald concedes they simply ran out of time in the race to have Pat Cummins fit for the opening Ashes Test in Perth, where Steve Smith will captain the side.

After months of speculation over the the skipper's fitness as he struggles to recover from a back injury, a line has finally been put through his name for the November 21 series opener.

While many have claimed he could miss the entire summer, Cricket Australia have been quick to allay those fears.

"We have run out of time," McDonald said on Monday. "We flagged this a week or so ago that it would take four weeks to get him up and running but we’re optimistic about the second Test match.

"Everyone wants a timeframe, but the nature of this injury there is never going to be a clear one. I would never put the medical team under that duress.

"He will be back bowling this week and that’s a huge step. We’re on the journey.

"We have the utmost faith in our medical team. We're flipping to Steve Smith being our captain and we're so lucky to have someone as experienced. They're a good working couple. They work well together.

"Paddy will be around the group as well.

"Losing your captain is not ideal, but when Scott Boland is a potential replacement it's not a bad position to be in.

"You get excited about when he does come back, what kind of injection that will be for the team."

Cummins is one of three big names under an injury cloud heading into the Ashes with Cam Green removed from the ODI squad that faced India over the last 10 days because of side soreness.

Beau Webster has also been struggling with an ankle concern, but McDonald was optimistic about the pair.

"Good news for him (Green) is he is back bowling," McDonald continued.

"We will see how he pulls up today. He will be involved in the Shield; he will play whether he bowls or not we will see."

One debate that has raged for months when it comes to the Ashes is the opening line-up for Australia.

Amid something of a "crisis" through winter with Marnus Labuschagne and Sam Konstas struggling for form, the likes of Jake Weatherald and Matt Renshaw have been tipped to join Usman Khawaja at 1 and 2.

Even Khawaja's place has been questioned by experts.

Pushed for some updates on who was best placed, McDonald was coy.

"We have not made decision," he said. "There's a couple of people that have done a good job in the opening Shield rounds.

"There's another Shield round to go then we will select, the names out there are the ones we're talking about."