Pat Cummins faces race to be fit for first Ashes Test due to ongoing back issue

"Pat Cummins is no certainty to captain Australia in the first Ashes Test as he deals with stress in his back. The star quick will miss the upcoming T20 tour of New Zealand and back-to-back home white-ball series against India due to lumbar bone stress. Cummins has been cleared of stress fractures but will be racing the clock to be fit for Australia's opening Test in Perth against England starting on 21 November."

"Despite this planned de-load period, Cummins has experienced some ongoing lower back pain following the West Indies Test tour, a Cricket Australia spokesperson said. Further investigation has identified a level of lumbar bone stress that will require further management over the coming months. Cummins won't be considered for the upcoming limited-overs series against India and will continue his rehabilitation plan with a return to bowling to be determined as part of his Ashes preparation."

"Although Cummins would undoubtedly be a giant loss, Australia have captaincy and bowling options to cover him if he isn't fit for the start of the Ashes. Ahead of finals sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Scott Boland would almost certainly be called into the pace attack, with the Victorian spectacularly taking a hat-trick in Australia's previous Test against West Indies in July. Former skipper Steve Smith has also covered for Cummins numerous times since the pacer became Test captain in November 2021."

Pat Cummins will miss the upcoming T20 tour of New Zealand and back-to-back home white-ball series against India because of lumbar bone stress. Cummins has been cleared of stress fractures but continues to experience lower back pain following the West Indies Test tour, requiring further management in the coming months. Cummins will not be considered for the limited-overs series against India and will follow a rehabilitation plan with a return to bowling to be determined as part of Ashes preparation. Australia have captaincy and bowling cover options including Scott Boland and Steve Smith, while Mitchell Starc has retired from international T20s to protect his Test career.

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