Should Pat Cummins not regain full fitness in time for the Ashes opener in Perth, Australia will most probably turn to the tried-and-tested Scott Boland to replace him in the attack while Steve Smith will take over captaincy, like he did in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Boland is keeping himself fit and ready for any opportunity that comes his way in the much-anticipated joust in Australia later this year.
Pat Cummins’ workload will be managed through Australia’s build-up to the home Ashes, commencing November, after scans revealed ‘a level of lumbar bone stress’ to the back. Cricket Australia stated that their ODI skipper has been ruled out of the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and India.
The issue came to light during routine assessments following Australia’s World Test Championship Final and the tour of West Indies earlier this year. Cricket Australia confirmed the scan reports did not show a fracture but the bone stress was significant enough to prescribe the pacer a rest and rehabilitation program.
The 32-year-old has been right in the thick of the action since assuming leadership in November 2021. He has missed only two Tests due to injury in that timeframe, leading Australia to the World Test Championship title, retaining the Ashes in England and winning the ODI World Cup last year. His bowling prowess and effective leadership has been instrumental to Australia’s grand success, particularly across the last two Ashes campaigns where he played invariably every Test. Having sent down 95.1 overs in four Tests in the United Kingdom and the Caribbean recently, the 32-year-old experienced back pain.
Cummins has been one of Australia’s most durable workhorses in recent times, but has had a debilitating tryst with back injuries. The early years of his career were marred by stress fractures in the back, delaying his return to the format after his outstanding debut in 2011. Since making a full comeback in 2017, Cummins has been at the forefront of Australia’s attack, and has missed just one of the last 20 Tests against England.
