Harry Brook warns Australia over Pat Cummins’ absence in Ashes, still haunted by India Tests draw

Newly-appointed England National Cricket Team Test vice-captain Harry Brook has shared his views on the Australia National Cricket Team skipper Pat Cummins reportedly missing the first Test of the Ashes 2025-26.

Harry Brook said that Pat Cummins has been an amazing bowler for a very long time and was hopeful of his absence playing into the hands of the English team Down Under.

Harry Brook wants to bring the Ashes urn home

Ben Stokes-led England will be in Australia in November, December, and January for the marquee Ashes series. The first Test will take place at the Optus Stadium in Perth from November 21 to 25, followed by the second Test at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 4 to 8.

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Then, the third Test will take place at the Adelaide Oval between December 17 and 21, and the fourth Test will be hosted by the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26 to 30. The series finale will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 4 to 8, 2026.

England have been quite poor in Australia, but would be hoping for a better performance this time around. Their chances to do well have been boosted by the reports of Pat Cummins struggling with an injury and possibly missing the series opener.

Talking about this, Brook said that Pat Cummins' absence is good news for England, but other Aussie bowlers can't be taken lightly.

"He is an amazing bowler and has been for many years," Brook said at Thursday night's PCA awards ceremony, in partnership with Toyota, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo."He bowls at a high pace, with high skill. With him out of their side for the first game, from what we've seen, hopefully that plays into our hands… [But] we can't take anybody lightly."

"I don't know what I'm stepping into. I know it's a massive thing, but I'm still trying to get over that India series. That was awesome to be part of: to play 25 days out of 25 was mega. That was the most intense series I've ever been part of. If the Ashes tops that, I will be a very happy man."

I haven't had too much experience of the pitches out there - Harry Brook

Harry Brook has never played a Test match on Aussie soil, and the upcoming tour is likely to pose a big challenge. Overall, he has played just BBL in Australia when he was 22 years old and scored 56 runs in five innings.

Meanwhile, Brook further admitted that he doesn't have much knowledge about Australian conditions and added that he is going Down Under with a clear mind. Harry Brook stated:

"It is obviously intense. I can't even remember much about the 2023 Ashes, if I'm honest. It's a very similar group of players that we'll come up against: a very strong bowling attack and on home soil they'll present different challenges. I haven't had too much experience of the pitches out there, so I have to stay in the moment as much as possible and play what's in front of me."

"I see white-ball and red-ball as completely different sports, if I'm being honest. I'm going out there with a clear mind."

I want to be a match-winner - Harry Brook

Harry Brook, who recently won Player of the Series for England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, said that he wants to become a proper match-winner. He said:

"That's not something I really think about. I want to be a match-winner. If the team is in a little bit of trouble, I want to get us out of it, which so far in my career I've done fairly well. If that's getting 75 and getting us out of trouble for a little while and gets the team into a better position, I'd rather that than get a hundred and lose the game."

The young batter also stated that he is honoured to get the Test vice-captaincy and was hoping to see Ben Stokes play all five Ashes Tests. He said:

"I see Stokesy playing all five Tests, if I'm being honest. I think he'll power through, even if he has a little niggle."

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