Mitchell Starc says Pat Cummins will not need a lot of preparation for The Ashes, easing concerns over the Australia captain's availability.

In recent days, the Australian media has suggested Cummins could miss the first Test of the series in November as he continues his recovery from a back injury.

Cummins has not played since July but vowed to make sure he was fit for the upcoming matches against England. However, with six weeks to go, he has not been cleared to bowl.

The 32-year-old has taken 91 wickets in Test matches against England across 19 matches, twice taking five-wicket hauls, though both of those came away from home.

Despite a decision not being imminent on Cummins' availability for the opener in Perth, Starc is confident it will not matter how much preparation time he is given.

"Playing with Pat and being close with Pat, he doesn't need much," Starc said.

"Whether he bowls three warm-up balls and the first over of the game, he's on the money, he just knows when to switch on or how to switch on really quickly.

"So, what it looks like for him in his prep, it's going to be certainly different to what mine feels and looks like, and that comes with experience and age.

 

 

 

 

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"Having spent so much time with Josh [Hazlewood] and Pat and myself and Scotty [Boland], we all prepare slightly differently.

"We all feel like we need different things. I feel like at times I need to bowl more around preparation stuff, whether it be training or after layoffs.

"He's in good spirits. He's ultra-positive as always, and there's still some weeks to go before we get to Perth for the Test prep. So, we'll see where that lands. Hopefully, we see a lot of him through the summer, and we'll see where we get to in Perth."

Should Cummins be unavailable, questions will be raised over who will replace him as captain.

Starc is confident, however, that Steve Smith could step into the role, given he has led the team in 40 Test matches, deputising for Cummins in six over the last four years.

"We've got a group of us that have played cricket with Steve as captain anyway," Starc added.

"And then the times that he's filled in over the last few seasons for Pat, whether it be for personal reasons, for illness or for injury, it's an easy transition for Steve.

"He's obviously a very experienced cricket brain and thinks heavily about the game, and we have a team of experienced guys that can give their two cents worth along the journey as well."