Australian captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of at least the first Ashes Test due to a recurring lumbar stress injury.
The 32-year-old has admitted that there's still a lot of boxes to tick before he can return to action.
Andrew McDonald and the Australian selectors are optimistic that the second Test in Brisbane - which begins on December 4 - will be enough of a turnaround to get Cummins right.
Stand-in skipper Steve Smith will have to galvanise his troops as they try to start the series off strong without one of the most dangerous bowlers on the planet.
AllSportsPeople breaks down how the Australian Test side have fared without Cummins since he was appointed as captain in 2021.
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What is Australia's record without Pat Cummins?
Australia have played six Test matches without Cummins since he became the Test captain in 2021.
In those contests, Australia have won five, drawn one, and lost none - proving their resolve as a unit under Smith and McDonald.
The Aussie's also have experience besting England without their skipper, cruising to a 275 run victory over the old enemy at the Adelaide Oval in 2021.
Full list of matches when Cummins is unavailable:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 16. 2021 | Australia def. England by 275 runs | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide |
| Dec 8. 2022 | Australia def. West Indies by 419 runs | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide |
| Mar 1. 2023 | Australia def. India by 9 wickets | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore |
| Mar 9. 2023 | Australia drew. India | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Jan 29. 2025 | Australia def. Sri Lanka by inns & 242 runs | Galle International Stadium, Galle |
| Feb 6. 2025 | Australia def. Sri Lanka by 9 wickets | Galle International Stadium, Galle |
Who will replace Pat Cummins in the first Ashes Test?
Scott Boland has been selected as replacement for Australian captain Pat Cummins in the nation's squad for the first Ashes Test.
Boland is yet to play a Test match in Perth, but his record in other Australian states has been superb so far in his international career.
In nine appearances in the baggy green on Australian soil, the 36-year-old has 49 wickets at an average of 12.63, including the infamous six-for-seven at the MCG.
When does the 2025/26 Ashes start?
The 2025/26 season's Ashes will start in Perth on November 21, 2025, followed by the Tests in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney over the next 48 days.
The Ashes 2025/26 Schedule
The 2025/26 Ashes Test series is a part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Here is the full schedule for the five-match series:
| Fixture | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| AUS vs ENG 1st Test | Nov 21-25 | Perth Stadium |
| AUS vs ENG 2nd Test (D/N) | Dec 4-8 | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| AUS vs ENG 3rd Test | Dec 17-21 | Adelaide Oval |
| AUS vs ENG 4th Test | Dec 26-30 | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| AUS vs ENG 5th Test | Jan 4-8 | Sydney Cricket Ground |