Pat Cummins OUT! Steve Smith officially takes charge as Australia’s Ashes captain

Australia National Cricket Team have suffered a massive blow as Pat Cummins has officially been ruled out of the first Test of the Ashes 2025-26 against England National Cricket Team.

With Pat Cummins being ruled out, the modern-day batting great Steve Smith will take charge of the team, and the exceptionally talented pacer Scott Boland will take his place in the playing XI.

The nature of the injury is that you never know and you're sort of taking it a day by day - Andrew McDonald on Pat Cummins

Australia and England will start the Ashes 2025-26 with a high-octane clash at the Perth Stadium from November 21. Pat Cummins will not be playing that match after weeks of uncertainty as he recovers from his back stress injury.

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There were intense speculations regarding Pat Cummins' availability for the Ashes opener, with the Australia skipper hinting that he might be fit and fine to fire.

However, Pat Cummins has turned out to be quite unfortunate as he hasn't gained match fitness and hasn't resumed bowling. After missing the Perth Test, Australia are confident about having him back in the squad for the second Test that will start at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 4.

"We've grappled with it for a little while," Australia head coach McDonald told reporters in Canberra, as quoted by Cricket.com.au. "The nature of the injury is that you never know and you're sort of taking it a day by day.

He'll be back bowling this week, and that's a huge step - Andrew McDonald

Andrew McDonald further stated that Pat Cummins will be resuming bowling this week with an aim to be fit for the second Test match. He stated:

"We've run out of time. We flagged this a week or so ago that it will take four-plus weeks to get him up and running. We've run out of time unfortunately, but really optimistic and hopeful for the second Test match.

"He'll be back bowling this week, and that's a huge step. That was the big variable that we wanted to add in. We're on the journey to that that second Test match, and very hopeful that that will be a positive outcome."

Andrew McDonald confirmed that Pat Cummins will also be around the squad in Perth.

"Patty will be around the group as well, he'll come to Perth … and it'll almost be one of those things where you'll see him and it'll almost be a question of, 'Why isn't he playing in Perth?' That's where we think he'll be placed by that stage," added Andrew McDonald.

We're incredibly fortunate to have such an experienced captain - Andrew McDonald on Steve Smith

Andrew McDonald further expressed his delight over having a legendary player like Steve Smith doing captaincy duties in the absence of Cummins. He said:

"We're incredibly fortunate to have such an experienced captain. They're a good working sort of couple, so to speak. They work well together and there'll be a nice handover."

While talking about Cummins' replacement in the playing XI, Scott Boland, the Aussie head coach said that they are not in a bad position at all. He stated:

"Losing your captain's not ideal, but when you talk about Scott Boland being the potential replacement, it's not a bad position to be in. Ideally, we want the captain available for stability and decision-making. But Steve Smith will slide into that position.

"You get excited about when (Cummins) does come back, what an injection that will be to the group - a fully-fit Pat Cummins returning at some stage during the Ashes, and that's what we're hopeful for."

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