There are growing fears Australian captain Pat Cummins will miss the opening Ashes test against England—and could potentially be ruled out of the entire five-match series.
After sustaining a lumbar bone stress (back) injury in mid-July, the 32-year-old hasn’t bowled since appearing in the away test series against the West Indies.
According to CODE Sports recent scans show Cummins’ injury is healing, however significant questions remain around whether Australia will be willing to risk further injury by rushing their captain’s recovery for the first test which begins in Perth on 21 November.
Adding to the doubts, Cummins himself explained his physical preparation for the Ashes series has been restricted to general gym work and cycling, he hasn’t been able to bowl or run.
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Speaking on Wide World of Sports former Australian captain Mark Taylor explained the lack of preparation, and specifically match bowling, was ‘a bit of a worry.’
“Pat quite rightly is playing it down because he says he is going to play all five Test matches, but during the week he’s saying he’s not going to play any lead-up games,” Taylor said.
“Well, that’s a worry in itself, he’s got a hot spot in his back, how does he test it out?
“I know he’ll do nets and workouts in the gym, but the game itself is where you find that extra yard, that extra bit of adrenaline kicks in, it’ll be interesting to see how he goes.”
Heading into the high pressure cauldron of a home Ashes series, losing 71-test veteran and captain Cummins would be a significant blow to Australia and a huge boost to England’s chances of reclaiming the Ashes urn, particularly with doubts continuing to surround the bowling fitness of all rounder Cameron Green.
Should Cummins miss selection for the Perth test, 36-year-old Scott Boland looms as the most likely replacement alongside Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon—a role he has filled with aplomb on multiple occasions in recent seasons.