Pat Cummins Likely to Miss Ashes 2025-26 Opener Due to Back Injury. Australian captain Pat Cummins has given a major update on his fitness ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes series against England. The 32-year-old fast bowler revealed that he is unlikely to feature in Australia’s opening game, scheduled for November 21 at the Perth Cricket Stadium.
Although the five-match series runs until January 8, concerns over Cummins’ back injury have prompted the Australian camp to consider his availability carefully. Multiple reports have suggested that the pacer could miss not just the opener but potentially several matches, depending on his recovery.
Pat Cummins has been undergoing treatment for a lumbar injury and is currently focusing on rehabilitation to return to full fitness for the series.
Pat Cummins Gives Fitness Update Ahead of Ashes 2025-26
At the Fox Cricket season launch event in Sydney on Monday, October 13, Pat Cummins provided an update on his fitness, indicating he is unlikely to feature in Australia’s opening Ashes match in Perth. He confirmed that he has resumed running and plans to begin bowling preparation next week.
“I’d say probably less likely than likely. But we’ve still got a bit of time. I’m running today and running every second day, gradually increasing the distance. Next week, we’ll start bowling prep. I’m probably a couple of weeks away from putting on the spikes and bowling on the turf. But it’s been positive—each session feels a bit better than the last,” Cummins said.
He added that a player typically needs at least a month in the nets before a Test match to ensure they can bowl 20 overs a day without concern. “Four weeks is tight, but that’s about the mark we’re looking at,” he explained.
Pat Cummins also admitted feeling frustrated by the timing of the injury. “Some days I get annoyed because it’s the Ashes, a big summer, but other days I’m realistic. I’ve had the last seven or eight years of almost uninterrupted home summers, so I feel like I’ve had a good run as a fast bowler. Someone like Josh [Hazlewood] has been a bit more unlucky, so maybe it’s my turn,” he said.
Last week, Australia coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that Cummins’ availability for the first Test would be decided after assessing his fitness. Should he miss the Perth match, vice-captain Steve Smith will lead the side, while pacer Scott Boland is likely to replace him in the playing XI alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
Pat Cummins will also sit out Australia’s upcoming white-ball series against India, scheduled from October 19 to 25. In his absence, Mitchell Marsh will captain the ODI side.
