Cummins’ Ashes participation in doubt as back injury delays bowling return

Doubts are growing over Pat Cummins’ availability for the opening Ashes Test in Perth, with the Australian captain yet to be cleared to bowl just six weeks before the series begins.

Recent scans on Cummins’ lower back showed improvement in his lumbar stress injury but not enough to allow him to resume bowling. Cricket Australia has not given an update, but sources say the pacer remains in rehabilitation, with no confirmed timeline for his return or participation in the Ashes.

Cummins has not bowled since Australia’s Test in Jamaica in July. Though he had hoped to “take a few risks” to feature in the Ashes without playing any warm-up matches, the window to build up his bowling workload is rapidly closing. Medical staff are cautious about rushing him back, given his history of back and soft tissue injuries.

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In Cummins’ absence, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland could shoulder the pace attack through the early Tests, though workload management will be critical with a tight schedule between fixtures. Backup options such as Michael Neser, Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett are also being monitored in domestic matches.

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If Cummins is unavailable, Steven Smith is expected to take over as captain, having previously led Australia in six Tests since 2021. The first Ashes Test begins on November 21 in Perth, followed by matches in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Cummins’ recovery progress over the next few weeks will likely determine Australia’s leadership and bowling plans for the series.