Australia captain has reportedly been ruled out of the first Ashes Test in Perth from November 21, and might miss the entire series due to a back stress fracture.
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, fresh scans have shown that Cummins’ injury spot is healing, but hasn’t improved enough to allow Cummins to resume bowling. The injury cropped up during a routine assessment after the West Indies tour. While the scans confirmed there was no fracture, it was serious enough to demand rest and rehabilitation.
Earlier, Cummins had said he is willing to take a few risks to play the Ashes, but the latest reports don’t present a great picture. “This far out, it’s hard to know, but we’re trying to make sure we’re doing everything right to be right for Perth,” Cummins had said in Brisbane last month. “It’s a big Ashes series, doesn’t get much bigger, so you’re willing to be aggressive and take a few risks.”
Steve Smith To Captain Australia?
In the absence of Pat Cummins, Steve Smith is likely to lead the team. Smith has captained Australia whenever Cummins has opted out and is the most experienced leader in the group. Australia will also have to find a replacement pacer for Cummins, and they’re likely to turn to Scott Boland, who has emerged as a very reliable backup pacer. Cummins could hope to play some part in the second half of the Ashes if his recovery picks up pace, but with the packed schedule and no warm-up games, even that looks difficult.