Sydney, Sep 1: The build-up to the much-anticipated Ashes series later this year has been clouded by uncertainty over the availability of Australia’s Test captain, Pat Cummins.
According to reports, the 32-year-old fast bowler may not be fully fit for the start of the 2025-26 home Ashes, raising concerns in the Australian camp about leadership and bowling resources.
Cummins, widely regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers of his generation, recently underwent routine scans on his back. What was expected to be a precautionary check has instead raised alarm bells. A report in The Telegraph revealed that the scans “uncovered a problem that will need careful managing of his workload”.
Sources quoted in the same report suggested that the issue is “worse than expected”, putting Cummins in serious doubt for the opening Test in Perth, which begins on November 21.
The timing of the setback is far from ideal. Cummins has not featured in competitive cricket since July 14, the final day of Australia’s away Test series against the West Indies. He skipped the subsequent T20Is in the Caribbean and has also been absent from the white-ball assignments at home against South Africa, both in T20I and ODI formats.
This extended break from cricket, combined with the latest injury scare, has left questions hanging over his match readiness for a high-intensity five-Test Ashes series that will be contested over a gruelling 48-day stretch.
Should Cummins be ruled out of the opening stages, it would not be the first time the skipper has missed an Ashes contest at home. During the 2021-22 series, he sat out the Adelaide Test due to COVID-related protocols, with vice-captain Steve Smith stepping in.
Smith, who led Australia to a commanding 275-run victory on that occasion, is expected to reprise the role if required.
In fact, Smith has frequently stood in whenever Cummins has been unavailable across both Tests and ODIs.
From a tactical perspective, Cummins’ absence would leave a significant gap in Australia’s bowling attack. Traditionally used as a first-change option after the left-arm pace of Mitchell Starc and the relentless accuracy of Josh Hazlewood, Cummins provides balance and cutting edge with his ability to maintain pressure. Without him, the responsibility is likely to fall on Scott Boland.
The Victorian has enjoyed an impressive, if relatively short, Test career so far, claiming 62 wickets from 14 matches at a remarkable average of 16.53.
However, Australia’s depth in pace bowling may be tested further if additional injuries surface. Lance Morris, Spencer Johnson, and Jhye Richardson are all unavailable for the start of the season, while all-rounder Cameron Green has still not returned to bowling duties following surgery.
This narrows the selectors’ options considerably, making Cummins’ potential absence all the more significant.
Despite the setback, the Australian management is maintaining cautious optimism.
Officials remain hopeful that Cummins will recover in time to take the field in Perth, but they also acknowledge the challenges of expecting him to play every match in such a condensed series.
“It will be difficult for him to feature in all five Tests while managing a back issue,” the report noted, hinting at a scenario where the captain may be rotated or rested during the series.
The Ashes, cricket’s most storied rivalry, rarely arrives without drama, and this latest twist has already added intrigue to the 2025-26 edition. For Australia, the question is not just about whether Cummins will be fit in time, but whether the side can cope with his reduced workload if the injury persists.
For England, the uncertainty could be seen as an opportunity to exploit any chinks in their rivals’ armour.
As November draws closer, all eyes will be on Cummins’ recovery.
For now, the Australian captain finds himself in a race against time—not just to lead his side into the cauldron of Ashes cricket, but also to ensure that his own back can withstand the demands of one of the game’s toughest contests. (Agencies)
