Pat Cummins Injury Update Clouds Ashes Prep
The Australia captain Pat Cummins remains unavailable for bowling ahead of the Ashes, with scans revealing that a lingering hot spot in his back has not fully cleared. The development casts doubt over his participation in the first Test against England, set to begin at Optus Stadium on November 21. While Cummins previously suggested he would want roughly a month of bowling before returning, medical updates have been cautious, leaving serious questions about his role across the five-match series.
Starc’s Optimism: “He Doesn’t Need Much”
Mitchell Starc spoke to reporters ahead of his own return to cricket after the Test summer, expressing unwavering belief in Cummins’s ability to perform even with limited preparation. The pace spearhead said Cummins remains in “good spirits” and “ultra positive,” and he is confident that once cleared, the captain can quickly find his rhythm. “I found one thing playing with Pat and being close with Pat, he doesn’t need much,” Starc noted. “Whether it’s he bowls three warm-up balls and first over the game he’s on the money.”
Starc emphasized that Cummins’s preparation will likely look different from what others require, a reflection of his experience and leadership role. He hinted that Cummins could be immediately impactful after a brief return, underscoring the captain’s ability to switch on rapidly when the moment demands it.
Who Will Support the Fast-Bowling Charge?
With Cummins sidelined, the immediate fast-bowling trio for the opening Test could be Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland. Both Starc and Hazlewood have signalled their intention to play all five Tests, aided by scheduled breaks between the opening matches to manage workload. The anticipated depth behind them is a mix of experienced campaigners and promising talents, including Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson (returning from a shoulder issue), Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett, and Fergus O’Neill.
Starc acknowledged that such times can unearth new performers, highlighting the breadth of Australian bowling options. “There’s obviously guys at different levels… you mention Ness, Sean Abbott’s been around the squad for a while,” he said, suggesting that a blend of experience and emerging talent could carry Australia through the early part of the series.
Preparation Mode: Shield Tests and Limited Rest
Starc is set to play a single Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales ahead of the first Test, partnering with Hazlewood to bowl for NSW against Victoria at the SCG. This appearance is intended to provide practical match practice without overexposing their workloads. The plan aligns with the broader strategy of balancing form with fitness as Australia navigates a tight schedule, including three ODIs against India before the five-Test Ashes series.
Hazlewood’s inclusion in the first two T20s and his ongoing role in the squad add further cohesion to Australia’s pace attack, even as Cummins remains uncertain. The team’s management will be watching closely how the pace trio blends with the rest of the attack, and whether a rapid return for Cummins becomes viable in later Tests should his back settle.
Outlook: Pat Cummins and Australia’s Bowling Depth
While the immediate future remains uncertain for Cummins, Starc’s confident appraisal signals a resilient approach from Australia’s leadership group. If Cummins is cleared to bowl at any stage during the Ashes, his presence could provide a keen edge in both pace and leadership. The broader question for Australia is whether the team can maintain high-intensity dominance across five Tests with a potentially abbreviated prep window for its captain. As Starc indicated, the squad believes that the depth of Australian cricket can adapt to these challenges, turning potential setbacks into opportunities for emerging players to establish themselves on the big stage.
Fans and pundits alike will be watching Cummins’s progress closely in the coming days, alongside the pace-bowling development across New South Wales and Victoria. The Ashes will serve as a proving ground for a squad that aims to balance star power with the practicalities of modern cricket schedules.
