Australia confident Pat Cummins will recover for Ashes

Australia – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – Australia is hopeful that captain Pat Cummins will be fit for the Ashes series, despite a back injury that has ruled him out of upcoming matches against New Zealand and India.

The 32-year-old fast bowler was recently rested from the white-ball series against the West Indies and South Africa. He is currently managing what Cricket Australia described as “lumbar bone stress,” which has caused ongoing discomfort since the West Indies Test tour in July.

“Despite the planned rest period, Cummins experienced continued lower back pain,” said Cricket Australia in a statement. “Further scans have confirmed bone stress, which needs careful management over the next few months.”

There is no official return date yet, but selectors’ chairman George Bailey is confident Cummins will play the first Ashes Test in Perth on November 21.

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“It still feels like there’s enough time,” Bailey said. “We fully expect Pat to be ready for the first Test.” However, he admitted Cummins might enter the series without playing any warm-up matches.

“If that happens, we’re still comfortable with his experience and skill,” Bailey added.

Missing Cummins for the Ashes would be a huge blow for Australia, as he is one of their key bowlers. For now, he will skip all white-ball games against New Zealand and India starting October 1.

Cummins was crucial in the 2023 Ashes in England, taking 18 wickets as captain in a series that ended 2-2. In the 2021-22 home Ashes, he topped the charts with 21 wickets at an average of 18, leading Australia to a 4-0 victory.