Australia’s Ashes campaign faces a potential setback as captain Pat Cummins continues to battle a back stress injury, putting his participation in the series opener against England on November 21 in serious doubt. The injury has prevented the 32-year-old paceman from resuming bowling, raising concerns about Australia’s leadership and bowling balance ahead of one of cricket’s most anticipated contests.
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Cummins’ absence would mark a rare disruption in Australia’s otherwise stable Test setup. Since his Ashes debut in the 2017/18 series, Cummins has been an ever-present figure, missing only one match — the 2021 Adelaide Test — due to Covid-19 protocols. Over four Ashes campaigns, he has claimed 91 wickets at an impressive average of 24.10, spearheading a pace attack that has consistently overpowered England.
His consistency and leadership have been instrumental in Australia retaining the Ashes since 2017. Losing him now, particularly for the first Test in Perth, would not only dent Australia’s confidence but also inject fresh hope into an England side desperate for a breakthrough win on Australian soil after more than a decade.
Former England captain Michael Atherton noted in The Times that Cummins’ absence would be “bad for the series and bad for Australia,” but could provide a psychological lift for England as they aim to win their first Test — let alone a series — in Australia in years.
If Cummins is ruled out, Scott Boland is expected to step into the pace attack. However, his inclusion would still leave questions about managing the workloads of veterans Mitchell Starc (35) and Josh Hazlewood (34) across the grueling five-Test schedule. Starc played every Test in last summer’s series against India, while Hazlewood has struggled to complete a full Ashes campaign since 2017/18 due to recurring injuries.
All-rounder Cameron Green’s return from spinal surgery offers Australia some relief, but his bowling will likely be managed cautiously to avoid aggravating his condition. His ability to balance the attack and ease the burden on senior quicks could prove crucial throughout the series.
In terms of leadership, vice-captain Steve Smith is the frontrunner to take over the captaincy should Cummins be sidelined. Smith previously led Australia before the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa and temporarily resumed captaincy during the 2022 Sri Lanka series. His potential return to the role would mark a significant shift for a side that has flourished under Cummins’ calm and measured leadership style.
Speaking last week, Cummins admitted that his latest scans revealed the injury was “lingering,” prompting him to proceed with caution. Cricket Australia has yet to make an official decision regarding his availability for the Ashes, keeping both fans and selectors in suspense.
Mitchell Starc, when asked about Cummins’ recovery, expressed optimism. “I found one thing playing with Pat and being close with Pat, he doesn’t need much time,” Starc said. “Once he’s cleared, he’ll get back to full speed quickly.”
For now, Australia must prepare for all scenarios — with or without their captain. The uncertainty surrounding Cummins’ fitness not only challenges their plans for the bowling attack but also tests the leadership depth of a team looking to maintain its dominance over England. The coming weeks will determine whether Cummins can recover in time or if Australia must adapt to a new chapter in their Ashes journey.
