Pat Cummins Aims for Ashes Return Despite Back Injury Concerns

Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins has said that he wants to start bowling at least a month, and possibly six weeks, before the first Ashes Test against England in Perth on November 21. The fast bowler has been dealing with a lingering back soreness since Australia’s Test series win against the West Indies in July, with scans later showing signs of lumbar bone stress.

While no exact date has been fixed for his return, Cummins is determined to be fully fit in time for the all-important five-match series and is prepared to push himself if needed.

“I’d imagine (I’d want to be bowling) at minimum a month out, maybe six weeks. But I’ve not thought that deeply about it yet. It’s still a bit of a wait and see. We’ve got plenty of time, so we’ll map a way back when we get closer. At the moment for the next few weeks it’s pretty light. Not much running and zero bowling,” Cummins said at a Cricket Australia event.

Cummins’ injury has raised questions about Australia’s pace depth, especially with several other fast bowlers dealing with injuries. Lance Morris has been ruled out for the entire summer after undergoing back surgery, while Jhye Richardson’s Ashes availability remains uncertain as he recovers from a dislocated shoulder.

Queensland pacer Callum Vidler is also out long-term with a back injury, and young talent Mahli Beardman is recovering from a stress fracture too. However, the 32-year-old skipper is confident that the team has enough options to handle any challenges.

“We feel really well placed. A lot of planning goes in. It’s not just a month before, it’s 12 months out. Someone like Jhye Richardson hopefully, he will be available for some of the summer. There’s (Michael) Neser, Brendan Doggett was part of squads last year. So I’m really confident in our depth,” he added.

Cummins has not featured in any matches since leading Australia to the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 title against South Africa and the subsequent three-Test away series against the West Indies. He also sat out the white-ball series against both the West Indies and South Africa to manage his workload.

Meanwhile, fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has dismissed any talks of Australia’s experienced pace trio- Cummins, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc- nearing retirement from Test cricket. Recently, Hazlewood brushed aside all rumours regarding a near retirement for the trio and made it clear that the three will continue to lead the attack, while Starc has confirmed that he is extending his Test career after stepping away from T20 internationals.