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Australia captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the Ashes 2025-26 opener in Perth. Cummins has lost the race against time to get fit before the squad announcement but head coach Andrew McDonald remains hopeful of his participation for the rest of the Ashes.
"We've grappled with it for a little while," McDonald told reporters in Canberra. "The nature of the injury is that you never know and you're sort of taking it a day by day.
"We've run out of time. We flagged this a week or so ago that it will take four-plus weeks to get him up and running. We've run out of time unfortunately, but really optimistic and hopeful for the second Test match.
"He'll be back bowling this week, and that's a huge step. That was the big variable that we wanted to add in. We're on the journey to that that second Test match, and very hopeful that that will be a positive outcome."
Cummins to travel with Australian team, Smith to lead
In Cummins' absence, Steve Smith will lead the side in Perth. McDonald also said that Cummins will travel with the Test squad next month as he expects him to recover significantly.
“Patty will be around the group as well, he'll come to Perth … and it'll almost be one of those things where you'll see him and it'll almost be a question of, 'Why isn't he playing in Perth?' That's where we think he'll be placed by that that stage," said the coach.
Good news for Australia
Meanwhile, Cameron Green will mark his return after "side soreness" in a Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia. Western Australia go up against South Australia at their homeground, starting October 28.
Who will replace Cummins in Perth Test?
It is a no-brainer. Scott Boland who is considered one of the unluckiest players in the world will be the third seamer in the side. Boland has been bowling well of late. In last two games, he has picked up 11 wickets, including a match-winning fifer against New South Wales.
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