Pat Cummins is expected to miss the first Ashes Test in Perth, with growing concerns over the Australia captain's availability for the entire series against England. The 32-year-old fast bowler has been sidelined with a back injury, and the latest scan has shown that the stress issue has not yet healed. Although there has been improvement, Cummins is not ready to resume bowling just six weeks before the first Test starting on 21 November.
Cummins was ruled out of Australia's recent white-ball series against South Africa and New Zealand and will also miss the upcoming ODIs and T20s against India. Cricket Australia has declined to comment on his fitness but has not ruled him out of the first Test as he continues his rehabilitation. His last Test appearance was in the 3-0 series sweep of West Indies in July, and his absence would be a significant blow to Australia's hopes of retaining the Ashes.
If Cummins is unavailable, Scott Boland is likely to replace him in the pace attack alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Steve Smith would almost certainly captain the side, having led the team several times since Cummins was appointed Test captain in November 2021. The fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney begins on 4 January, leaving Cummins limited time to return to the XI if he misses the start.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald expressed hope that Cummins would play a part in the series. “It’s not ideal … he is working through a program. We have got time, a lot more information to come, and as I said, we’re really hopeful that he will take a key part in the Ashes,” McDonald said in September.
England's Joe Root believes his side is ready to “bring the urn home” after not winning the Ashes since 2015 and last triumphing in Australia in 2010-11. Root, who has never won a Test match in Australia in 14 attempts, remains focused on the team's goal. “At the end of the day this tour is not about me. When we look back in five years’ time no one is going to remember what Matthew Hayden said to me … They are going to look back on the scoreline,” Root said.
