Melbourne, Australia – Australia is holding firm on a decision regarding Pat Cummins‘ participation in the upcoming Ashes series as the captain continues to battle a lumbar bone stress injury, leaving his availability uncertain ahead of the first Test.
Cummins, 32, has not bowled competitively since July and is undergoing rehabilitation. The injury echoes challenges he faced earlier in his career, though this instance is described as bone stress rather than a fracture.
The fast bowler made a remarkable debut for Australia in 2011 against South Africa at age 18, claiming a five-wicket haul despite suffering a heel injury during the match. Though, recurring stress fractures to his lower back hampered his progress, delaying his second Test appearance until 2017 – six years after his initial promise.
Since being appointed Test captain following Tim Paine’s resignation before the 2021-22 Ashes,Cummins has taken 309 Test wickets at an average of 22.10. He boasts an impressive home record, with 177 wickets at 19.92, and has 91 wickets against England in 19 matches.
In the 2023 Ashes series, Cummins was one of only two bowlers – alongside Stuart Broad – to play in all five Tests, taking 18 wickets.
Cummins enjoyed a highly successful 2023 as captain, leading Australia to victory in both the World Test Championship final and the 50-over World Cup final – both against India, claiming six wickets in the former.
He is the only captain in Test history to have won the World Test Championship, the World Cup, and an Ashes series.
Cummins is also the joint-fifth fastest bowler to reach 150 Test wickets, achieving the milestone in his 31st match against india in Adelaide in 2020.
