Pat Cummins' Fitness For 1st Ashes Test In Question

With the much-awaited Ashes series nearing, doubts regarding Pat Cummins‘ fitness have risen, and his inclusion in the first Test is now in question. Although there are indications of recovery from his back injury, Cummins has yet to be declared fit to bowl, and his fate for the Ashes is still uncertain.

Pat Cummins’ Continuing Rehabilitation

Pat Cummins is receiving rehabilitation for a stress of the lumbar bone in his lower back. News Limited and Nine newspapers have reported that Cummins’ recent scan was positive regarding his recovery, but not as advanced as to allow him to bowl.

Although Cricket Australia (CA) has not officially commented, sources confirm that Cummins’ rehab is progressing, with no set timeline for his return to full fitness or a decision on his participation in the Ashes series.

Cummins has not participated in any competitive games since Australia’s previous Test in Jamaica in July. The back condition was made public in early September, and Cummins has been ready to take measured risks to play for the Ashes, including not participating in build-up games. Yet the brief time frame to ramp up his bowling loads before the opening Test in Perth is testing him, and the situation remains delicate.

Squeeze for Ashes Availability

The inaugural Test of the Ashes is due to commence on November 21, only six weeks or so ahead. Although Cummins has shown his commitment to participate, the window of time for building his bowling loads safely and being fit and ready is quickly running out. The possibility of injury both of his back and of soft tissues increases by the week with no proper preparation.

Traditionally, Cummins has been a stickler for fitness, traditionally doing specific build-ups towards big series. In the case of last year’s Border-Gavaskar series against India, for example, he did a 10-week block, with very short game time prior to the first Test. It has served him well in keeping his body in check all these years, but it might not be enough with the tight timeframe leading into the Ashes.

Potential Effect on Australia’s Bowling Resources

If Cummins does not play the first Ashes Test, Australia will have to rely a lot on their other available bowling assets. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland will be the likely choices with the skipper missing. But the physical rigors of the Ashes series and the possibility of fatigue can be decisive in their performance.

Starc and Hazlewood are already in Australia’s ODI team for their series against India, which may impact their Ashes preparations. Hazlewood has also been selected for the T20 series, so both bowlers might have a busy schedule before the first Test.

Boland, on the other hand, has played a single Shield game and is set to play a couple more, though there is little chance he will bowl a heavy workload in the build-up to the Ashes.

Potential Ashes Reinforcements

If Cummins remains unavailable or only half-available, Australia does have some exciting backup contenders. Michael Neser, who had a good run in the local Shield competition, might be in contention, while Sean Abbott is also an option in the running, having been omitted from Australia’s ODI team.

Brendan Doggett, even though he sat out the first round of the Shield due to a minor hamstring problem, should play for South Australia before long. However, his injury history and the number of Shield games he plays could limit his readiness for the Ashes.

Steven Smith to Stand in as Captain?

If Cummins is not able to captain the team during the Ashes, the most probable player to replace him is former captain Steven Smith. Smith has led Australia in 40 Tests, six of them since Cummins became the captain in 2021. Though Travis Head is also a vice-captain, Smith’s experience gives him the top spot to captain Australia in case Cummins’s fitness issues keep him from playing the series.

Will Pat Cummins Play the First Ashes Test?

With the countdown to the first Ashes Test, Australian cricket followers remain anxious about the fitness of Pat Cummins. Though his back injury is improving, the compressed schedule in the lead-up to the Ashes poses huge challenges in making him match-fit.

With just six weeks to go before the series commences, Australia might have to make arrangements for the prospect of playing without their ace fast bowler and skipper. As things unfold, everybody will be looking to Cummins’ rehabilitation and Cricket Australia’s decisions in the next few weeks.