Ashes 2025-26 series: Apart from the uncertainty in their batting department, Australia will now have to contend with a huge jolt as skipper Pat Cummins is all but ruled out of the first Test of the upcoming Ashes 2025-26 series.
Cummins has been captaining Australia in Test cricket since the 2021/22 home Ashes, when Tim Paine announced a sudden retirement from international cricket. Under his leadership, Australia won the 2023 ICC WTC final against India but failed to defend their crown earlier this year, going down to South Africa at Lord’s.
He’s led Australia in two Ashes series so far: Australia won the 2021/22 Ashes at home and drew the 2023 Ashes in England by a 2-2 scoreline.
Cummins had pulled up with a back issue following the Test series triumph in the West Indies in July. He’s been out of action since.
Scans revealed a lumbar bone stress issue in his lower back. To manage it, the right-arm pacer decided to opt out of all international cricket until the Ashes, including the home white-ball matches against India.
However, he is now competing against the deadline to be fit for the 1st Ashes Test, which is set to begin on November 21 in Perth, a race he is nigh-certain to lose.
Cummins was said to feature in one or two domestic games ahead of the Ashes, but now his return to action is likely to be straightaway during the series.
It is also believed that Pat Cummins could miss more than just the first Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series, as a recurrence of his current back injury could lead to a serious or major injury. Cricket Australia, their selectors, physios, and team management will be monitoring Cummins’ workload throughout the Ashes, and it’s possible that he will miss more than one Test, limiting his presence and impact on the field.
Now, the question remains over who would lead Australia in the Ashes in Cummins’ absence. One name is set to get more votes than anyone else: Steve Smith.
Ashes 2025-26: Who Will Captain Australia In 1st Test If Pat Cummins Misses Due To Back Injury?
Steve Smith is the likely candidate to captain Australia if Pat Cummins misses one or more Tests in the Ashes 2025-26. Smith has been the vice-captain of the Test team since Cummins became the skipper in 2021 and has deputized for Cummins in six Test matches over the last four years.
Smith has 40 Test matches under his belt as Australia’s Test captain. The other options are Travis Head and Alex Carey.
Mitchell Starc has given his backing to Smith: “We’ve got a group of us that have played cricket with Steve as captain anyway. And then the times that he’s filled in over the last few seasons for Pat, whether it be for personal reasons, for illness or for injury, it’s an easy transition for Steve. He’s obviously a very experienced cricket brain and thinks heavily about the game.”
In Cummins’ absence, Scott Boland will slot in the lineup to join Starc, Hazlewood, and Lyon. Other pace options as backup are Michael Neser and Sean Abbott, while Jhye Richardson is said to be ready to make a comeback to the Test setup from a long-term shoulder injury.
Get the Latest Cricket Updates at IceCric.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for live updates on Facebook and Instagram.
