Australia captain Pat Cummins has been sidelined with a lower back injury, ruling him out of the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and India. Cricket Australia confirmed the news on Tuesday, raising major concerns ahead of the highly anticipated Ashes series later this year.
Australia is scheduled to play three T20Is in New Zealand in early October, followed by three ODIs and five T20Is against India at home. England will then arrive in Australia for the blockbuster Ashes campaign.
The Extent of Cummins’ Injury
Cummins, 32, bowled more than 95 overs across four Tests in the UK and the Caribbean this year before experiencing discomfort. Scans revealed a “level of lumbar bone stress” which, while not classified as a stress fracture, requires careful management to avoid long-term damage.
“Cummins won’t be considered for the upcoming limited-overs series against India or New Zealand and will continue his rehabilitation plan, with a return to bowling to be determined as part of his Ashes preparation,” read Cricket Australia’s statement.
The setback is particularly concerning given Cummins’ history of back injuries, which plagued the early part of his career.
Impact on Ashes Preparations
Australia’s selectors now face a tough task in managing their fast-bowling resources ahead of an Ashes series that features five Tests in just seven weeks. While the current diagnosis is less severe than a stress fracture, medical staff must decide whether Cummins’ body can withstand the demands of back-to-back Tests.
Despite this, Cummins has been remarkably durable in recent years. Since returning from injury in 2017, he has missed just two Tests due to fitness issues. He has also been a consistent performer in the Ashes, playing 19 of Australia’s last 20 Tests against England across the 2017-18, 2019, and 2023 series.
Australia’s Challenge Without Their Skipper
Losing Cummins for the India and New Zealand series is a blow, but his long-term availability for the Ashes remains the bigger question. With veterans like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon also part of the attack, Australia may head into the Ashes with one of its oldest bowling units ever.
The big concern: Can Cummins recover in time and remain fit enough to lead Australia through the most grueling red-ball series on the cricket calendar?
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