- Eagerly anticipated series begins on November 21
Pat Cummins is no certainty to captain Australia in the first Ashes Test as he deals with stress in his back.
The star quick will miss the upcoming white-ball series against India due to lumbar bone stress.
Cummins will be racing the clock to be fit for Australia’s opening Test in Perth against England, starting on November 21.
‘Despite this planned de-load period, Cummins has experienced some ongoing lower back pain following the West Indies Test tour,’ a CA spokesperson said.
‘Further investigation has identified a level of lumbar bone stress that will require further management over the coming months.
‘Cummins won’t be considered for the upcoming limited-overs series against India and will continue his rehabilitation plan with a return to bowling to be determined as part of his Ashes preparation.’
A worse-than-expected back injury means Pat Cummins (pictured) is in doubt for the first Ashes Test, which begins on November 21 in Perth
The news about the Test skipper (pictured with wife Becky and their son) also means he’ll miss the upcoming white-ball series against India on home soil
The 32-year-old paceman is suffering from bone stress in his back
Cummins could still feature prominently, though his workload may need to be carefully rationed.
That scenario would put Steve Smith in line to deputise as captain if Cummins requires a break.
Smith has previously stepped in with success, and leadership continuity would be critical during the high-pressure Ashes series.
For Cummins, the timing is cruel given the resilience he has shown since his early-career struggles.
Between his 2011 debut and his second Test in 2017, repeated injuries kept him sidelined for nearly six years.
Since then, his body has held up superbly, allowing him to play extended stretches of cricket with minimal interruptions.
He carried the pace attack through all five Tests against India last summer and was ever-present during the winter tours.
Meanwhile, fellow star quick Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from international T20s in a bid to preserve his Test career.
Cummins’ fast-bowling partner Mitchell Starc (pictured) has announced his shock retirement from limited-overs cricket
‘Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority,’ Starc said.
‘I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not just because we won but the incredible group and the fun along the way.
‘Looking ahead to an away Indian Test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns.’
Starc has taken 244 wickets in 127 one-day international matches for his country, and 79 wickets in 65 T20 games for Australia.
