Pat Cummins has lost the race to be fit for the first Ashes Test as he continues his recovery from a stress injury in his back, with Steve Smith to reassume the captaincy of Australia in the series opener against England next month. Cummins has not bowled since Australia's 3-0 series defeat of West Indies in July and was in serious doubt for the match in Perth on 21 November.
England's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the Ashes. Shaun Wane's side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more composure