Cummins’ Ashes Preparation Disrupted by Back Issue, Ruled Out of White-Ball Series

Cummins’ Ashes Preparation Disrupted by Back Issue, Ruled Out of White-Ball Series

Australia Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins will miss all upcoming white-ball matches in the lead-up to the 2025-26 Ashes series after a scan revealed lumbar bone stress in his lower back. While the scan confirmed there is no stress fracture, Cricket Australia has announced that Cummins will undergo a rehabilitation program with his return to bowling yet to be determined.

Cummins, who last played in the Caribbean Test series in July, has not bowled since and had been experiencing ongoing back soreness. A scan conducted on Monday confirmed the presence of a "hot spot" — a precursor to a potential stress fracture — which ruled him out of the white-ball fixtures and raised doubts over his readiness for the Ashes series starting November 21 in Perth.

“Despite this planned de-load period, Cummins has experienced some ongoing lower back pain following the West Indies Test tour,” a Cricket Australia statement read. “Further investigation has identified a level of lumbar bone stress that will require further management over the coming months.”

The injury marks a worrying development for Australia’s preparations, particularly given Cummins' previous struggles with back stress fractures early in his career. Between his debut in 2011 and 2017, Cummins did not play a single Test due to recurring back injuries. However, since then, he has enjoyed remarkable durability, managing minor injuries without significant time out of the game — until now.

This year, Cummins' bowling workload has been significantly reduced. He has bowled just 175.1 overs in 2025, compared to 400+ overs in each of the last three years. Of those, only 95.1 overs came during the four Tests against South Africa and West Indies in June and July.

Cummins had initially planned to feature in the ODI series against New Zealand and India, as well as possibly in the Sheffield Shield for New South Wales in late October or early November. However, with just 11 weeks until the first Ashes Test, those plans are now in serious doubt.

There is still a slim chance that Cummins could feature in a one-day domestic match for NSW against Queensland on November 3, but his availability will depend on his rehabilitation progress.

Should Cummins be unavailable or unable to play all five Ashes Tests, vice-captain Steve Smith is expected to step in as captain. Smith has led Australia six times in Cummins' absence since 2021, including during the Sri Lanka series earlier this year and one Test in the 2021-22 Ashes series.

On the bowling front, Australia has depth, with Scott Boland likely the first in line to replace Cummins. However, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood also carrying recent injury histories, fast-bowling stocks could be tested. Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett, Sean Abbott, and a recovering Jhye Richardson may come into contention if needed. Lance Morris, however, has been ruled out of the summer after undergoing back surgery.

Cummins' injury may also impact team balance, especially concerning the inclusion of allrounders. With Cameron Green returning to bowling following back surgery, selectors may be forced to consider playing both Green and in-form allrounder Beau Webster in the same XI to manage bowling workloads across five Tests. Green will skip the New Zealand tour to focus on red-ball preparation with Western Australia, likely playing three Shield matches before the Ashes.

Meanwhile, Starc — who recently retired from T20Is to focus on Test and ODI cricket — is expected to feature in the ODI series against India and play at least one Shield match. Hazlewood, who will play the T20Is in New Zealand, will likely be managed carefully and could play limited Shield and ODI cricket to prepare.

The injury to Cummins is a significant blow to Australia's Ashes preparation, and his availability — both as captain and strike bowler — will remain a key storyline heading into the marquee Test series against England.

Key Dates:

  • Ashes 2025-26: Begins November 21, Perth

  • NSW vs Queensland (ODI): November 3

  • Sheffield Shield (Gabba): October 28

  • Sheffield Shield (SCG): November 10

In Contention for Fast Bowling Roles:

  • Scott Boland

  • Michael Neser

  • Sean Abbott

  • Brendan Doggett

  • Jhye Richardson (fitness permitting)

Leadership Backup:

  • Steve Smith (likely stand-in captain)

  • Travis Head (formal vice-captain)