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Australia’s Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins has been sidelined due to a lumbar bone stress he sustained during the Caribbean tour. Cummins is set to miss white-ball action for the remainder of year 2025, including the New Zealand tour and home series against India. However, the pace-bowling all-rounder remains hopeful months ahead of the Ashes 2025-26 and is willing to take risks at this stage of his career. He is currently focused on his rehabilitation and win the race against time to be fit for the Ashes.
"That would be devastating, so we'll be doing everything we can to try to be right for that and try to make a few decisions a little bit closer, but confident" Cummins told reporters in Brisbane on September 3.
"Do the rehab right and give it a good crack. It's a big Ashes series. It doesn't get much bigger, so I think you're willing to take a few risks and be a little bit aggressive to try and play as much Test [cricket] as you can."
Cummins will lack much-needed game time ahead of the Ashes. While he may feature in a Sheffield Shield game or two, it is possible that he regains fitness just ahead of the series opener against the Ben Stokes-led side. He feels he is confident of getting back his rhythm, straight into the international arena after months of absence.
"At this stage of my career I feel like I can probably get up to speed a bit quicker than when I was 18 or 19," he said. "Back then you probably feel like you need to play a few [Sheffield] Shield games or one-dayers. I'm pretty confident even if I don't get a chance to play a Shield game, I'll can get up to speed."
Cummins points out Australia’s fast-bowling depth
There is a possibility that Cummins loses the race against time to get fit. In that case, Scott Boland will walk into the playing XI much deservedly. Also, Cummins has faith in Australia's pace-bowling depth as he took a few names.
"We always talk about we need a lot of depth. We've been lucky in the last couple of years. We kind of haven't had to go past the four guys really, but guys like Sean Abbott...Doggy [Brendan Doggett], there's about four or five guys. Ness [Michael Neser] has obviously been around, Jhye Richardson,” said the 32-year-old.
"There's guys who have been in and around the Test team over the last few years and haven't had too many opportunities, but we know they're going to be good enough if they're needed. But hopefully the other three are going to be fighting fit, plus me, and we've got plenty of resources."
Cricket Australia’s Plan B already in place?
Meanwhile, Australian selectors have rested Cameron Green for the T20I series against New Zealand. He will be playing in the Sheffield Shield. There are chances that he gets back to bowling long spells. His bowling will give Australia more options with the ball if Cummins misses out. In addition, Beau Webster is another all-rounder who can bowl pace.
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