Pat Cummins keeps England guessing of his Ashes future

Australia captain Pat Cummins opened up about his chances of playing in the first Ashes Test against England, scheduled in Perth on November 21. Cummins has admitted that he is unlikely to feature in the series opener due to a back stress injury, despite over a month remaining before the upcoming home series.

The 32-year-old pacer is recovering from a stress injury to his back sustained during the West Indies tour in July. He, who has taken 309 Test wickets, has been a key player for the team both as a bowler and as captain. He guided Australia to the last two World Test Championship finals, securing the 2023 title.

I'd Say Less Likely Than Likely - Pat Cummins on Playing Ashes Opener

Speaking at Fox Cricket’s season launch in Sydney, Pat Cummins provided an update on his fitness ahead of the first Ashes Test against England. Cummins described his chances of playing as “less likely than likely” and added that he still needs several weeks to return to a full bowling workload.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

“I’d say less likely than likely, but still got a bit of time. Feeling pretty good, still got a bit of time, so a bit to work through. Start running and got to tick off each week before you get to the next thing. So build up running and start bowling pretty soon, but probably a little bit too early to say," Cummins said.

“You want at least a month in the nets, getting used to it. If you’re going to play a Test match, you want to make sure you’re right to bowl 20 overs a day and you don’t have to really think about it. Four weeks is pretty tight, but somewhere around that mark,” he added.

I'm Giving Myself a Chance to Be Right - Pat Cummins

When asked about the possibility of missing the entire Ashes series, Pat Cummins stated that he would be traveling with the team. He emphasized that his focus is on regaining fitness and being available for as much of the series as possible.

“Immediate goal is to make sure I’m giving myself a chance to be right for as much of it as possible. So it’s really too early to make some big decisions. You’re trying to tick off each session to get one step closer,” Cummins stated.

“If that first Test I’m not playing, I’m hopefully close to playing and prepping as the physios and coaches, and players are, so yeah, the intention is to travel.”

Pat Cummins’ Absence Forces Australia to Adjust Plans for Ashes Series

Pat Cummins's absence forces the team to change its plans. Steve Smith will take charge as captain of the side. Smith, who briefly captained the side during the 2023–24 season, brings valuable experience to steady the team in Cummins’s absence.

Cummins has taken 309 wickets in 71 Tests at an average of 22.10, including 91 wickets in Ashes contests. Scott Boland is expected to step in as the third seamer alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Boland’s consistency makes him the ideal replacement for the Perth Test.

Australia is looking to extend its hold on the Ashes urn they have retained since 2018. Meanwhile, England, led by Ben Stokes, will take confidence from potentially avoiding Australia’s most dangerous bowler as they seek their first Test win on Australian soil since 2011.

Also read: 'Furious' Washington Sundar confronts Richard Illingworth after umpire’s call robs him of wicket in Delhi Test