Pat Cummins likely to miss first Ashes Test

• Pat Cummins may miss the first Ashes Test due to an unhealed back injury.
• Steve Smith is likely to captain Australia in Cummins' absence.
• Scott Boland will play a key role in the pace attack with Starc, Hazlewood.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins is set to miss the first Ashes Test against England, scheduled to begin on November 21 in Perth, due to a back injury. The

fast bowler, who has been sidelined for several weeks with concerns on his back, is still undergoing rehabilitation, and recent scans have revealed that the injury has not healed completely.

According to reports from CODE Sports and The Sydney Morning Herald, Cummins’ latest scan showed some improvement but indicated that he is not yet ready to resume bowling. With just six weeks left before the opening Test of the Ashes, the Australian captain’s participation in the opening Test of the Ashes looks doubtful. According to sources, Cummins’ return to international cricket could be delayed until December, which might even see him miss a significant portion of the series.

Steve Smith likely to step in as captain in place of Cummins

Meanwhile, Steve Smith is expected to step in as captain, as he did during the Sri Lanka tour earlier this year when Cummins was sidelined. Smith, who has captained Australia in 40 Tests, is seen as the natural choice to lead the team in Cummins’ absence. Meanwhile, Scott Boland is expected to play an important role in the pace attack alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

The Australian Test captain had earlier addressed concerns about his fitness during a media interaction in Brisbane, revealing that missing the Ashes would be devastating. He stated that he was committed to his rehabilitation and hopeful of being fit in time for the series.

“That would be devastating, We’ll be doing everything we can to be right for that, [and] make a few decisions a little bit closer, but [I’m] confident we’ll do the rehab right and give it a good crack. 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 was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald. 

Notably, Cummins has reportedly been limited to gym work and cycling, avoiding bowling or running to prevent aggravating the injury. His rehabilitation involves multiple scans and close monitoring from Cricket Australia’s medical staff.