Pat Cummins CONFIRMS being RULED OUT of Ashes 2025-26 opener

Australia skipper Pat Cummins has expressed uncertainty over his availability for the Ashes as he continues to recover from a back injury. The fast bowler admitted he might push himself hard to regain fitness in time for the series but added that he still requires several weeks of rest before resuming bowling.

Cummins will miss Australia’s white-ball contests against New Zealand and India. Chairman of selectors George Bailey remains optimistic that he will recover in time to captain the side. However, the fast bowler still faces a race against time to regain full fitness ahead of the Ashes opener in Perth this November.

That Would Be Devastating - Pat Cummins

Speaking in Brisbane, Pat Cummins admitted that his participation in the Ashes opener in Perth remains uncertain. The Australian skipper said missing the first Test would be “devastating,” but added that he is committed to his rehabilitation and determined to push hard for fitness.

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“That would be devastating. We’ll be doing everything we can to be right for that, [and] make a few decisions a little bit closer, but [I’m] confident we’ll do the rehab right and give it a good crack,” Cummins told rights-holding broadcasters," he said, as quoted by The Age.

“This far out it’s hard to know, but we’re trying to make sure we’re doing everything right to be right for Perth. It’s a big Ashes series, [it] doesn’t get much bigger, so you’re willing to be aggressive and take a few risks to try to play as much of the Tests as you can.”

I’m Not Bowling or Doing Much at the Moment - Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins said his back trouble began during the World Test Championship final against South Africa. He experienced soreness again in the Caribbean, which prompted a first scan that revealed strain. After a month of rest, a second scan earlier this week confirmed the issue still persists.

“[I] was a little bit sore after the West Indies, had a scan, [and] there was a little bit going on, gave it another month, [and I] have had a bit of a quiet month to help it settle down,” Cummins said.

“[I] had another scan on Monday, which was not terrible, but enough to know there’s a little bit there and [that I] need to be careful for the next little bit. It doesn’t feel too bad, but I’m not bowling or doing much at the moment."

Australia Face Leadership and Bowling Concerns if Pat Cummins Misses Out

Australia will face leadership and bowling concerns if Pat Cummins fails to recover in time for the Ashes. The captaincy can be covered by Steve Smith, who has already stepped in on multiple occasions since 2021. However, the bigger challenge is replacing Cummins’ impact with the ball.

Scott Boland is the frontrunner to replace Cummins in the pace attack. He has taken 62 wickets in 14 Tests at an outstanding average of 16.53. He made his debut against England in 2021 and produced a ten-wicket match against India earlier this year.

However, his opportunities have often come only when Australia’s frontline trio of Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood have been unavailable. Cummins’ fitness will need careful management, given his long history of back issues that once kept him out of Test cricket for six years.

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