Pat Cummins has given an update that may worry Australian fans ahead of the Ashes.
The Aussie skipper admitted he is 'probably unlikely' to feature in the first Test against England in Perth as he continues recovering from a back injury.
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The 32-year-old hasn’t bowled competitively since July and says his return to full fitness is still some weeks away. Cummins picked up a stress injury in his back following the West Indies series, forcing him to rest through the Australian winter.
With the Ashes starting on November 21, the timeline for his recovery is tight, leaving uncertainty around his participation in the opener.
What did Pat Cummins say about his availability for Ashes Tests?
Cummins said he wouldn’t put an exact percentage on his chances of playing but described them as less likely than likely. He added that while his recovery is moving in the right direction, bowling on turf is still a couple of weeks away.
“I’m running today and every second day. Each run’s a little bit longer, and I’ll start light bowling work next week,” Cummins told ABC Sport. “I’m probably a few weeks away from putting spikes on and bowling properly.”
Despite the setback, the Australian captain mentioned that he’s feeling much better compared to the last few weeks, with no lingering pain, only slight stiffness after training.
Will Cummins miss more than the first Test?
Cummins admitted it’s still too early to predict how much of the Ashes series he could miss.
“The goal is to give myself a chance to be ready for as much of the series as possible,” Cummins said.
Australia’s coaching staff remain hopeful that their captain could return later in the series. The second Test in Brisbane starts nearly two weeks after the Perth opener and the schedule provides additional recovery time between matches.
Even if he misses the first match, Cummins plans to travel with the team to stay involved in preparations. His presence in the camp, even while not playing, will still provide leadership support for the squad. In his absence, Scott Boland is expected to take his place in the XI.
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 |
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