Pat Cummins RULED OUT of Ashes 2025-26? Report reveals concerning update

Dark clouds loom over Australia's plans for the upcoming Ashes, with captain Pat Cummins facing a race against time to be fit for the blockbuster five-match Test series against England. Pat Cummins recently underwent a routine scan on his back that has now raised serious concerns about his availability for the upcoming Ashes 2025-26.

Cummins, who has been out of action since July, was already rested from the T20 series against New Zealand to prepare for the Ashes. But the Telegraph report suggested that the scan has revealed more than expected, forcing management to rethink how Cummins’ workload will be handled.

Pat Cummins’ fitness doubts rock Australia's Ashes preparations

Australia and England will play the five-match Test series in just 48 days, so it will be really challenging to balance the skipper’s fitness as he will also lead the pace attack. However, he is presently not certain to take part in the start of the Ashes 2025-26 series.

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The Telegraph report reads, “Sources are privately admitting the problem is worse than expected, and he is a doubt for the start of the Ashes series. Even if fit, his workload will need managing throughout the five-match series that starts in Perth on November 21.”

Steve Smith to lead Australia if Pat Cummins is ruled out

If Pat Cummins is ruled out of the start, Steve Smith will once again lead the Kangaroos against their arch-rivals England in the much-awaited Test series. But Cummins’ absence will put huge pressure on Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to lead the fast-bowling attack.

Scott Boland will be kept as a reserve pacer, while Cameron Green may have to share more of the load. Green is still making things smoother for himself after back surgery last year, and he is yet to achieve red-ball match fitness.

Meanwhile, Australia has already been rocked by injuries to Lance Morris and Spencer Johnson, while Jhye Richardson won’t be available at the beginning of the season.

Read Also: Indian pacer injured on the brink of Asia Cup 2025, fitness certificate halted by CoE

Back troubles return to haunt Pat Cummins

These setbacks leave the Australian selectors with a narrow pool at the worst possible time, but their biggest worry is Cummins. The fast bowler already has a history of a string of back injuries, which once kept him out of Test cricket for almost six years after his debut in 2011.

But after the comeback, Cummins proved himself as one of the most lethal fast bowlers of the modern era with 309 Test wickets at a stunning average of 22, as well as one of the best captains, who has already won both the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup for Australia.

Cummins’ possible absence, even for part of the Ashes series, would not just be a tactical blow to the hosts, but it would give an edge to the Ben Stokes-led England cricket team. Without his leadership and unmatched consistency, Australia might struggle in the Test series at home.

Notably, Australia won the Ashes at home in 2021-22 and retained the Ashes in England in 2023 under Cummins’ captaincy. He also has 91 wickets in 19 Ashes Tests to his name so far.

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