Australian captain Pat Cummins has a back injury. This latest blow would seem to place his involvement in this winter’s Ashes series in serious jeopardy. The injury, particularly lumbar bone stress, has been physically draining. It has, in any case, already compelled him to miss the home white-ball series against New Zealand and India. This news comes on the heels of a sore Cummins after Australia’s 3-0 win over the West Indies in July. In that series, he uncorked amazing 60 overs of magic in three Test matches.
Cummins signaled his intent to come back fit and firing ahead of the Ashes opener in November. “That would be devastating, so we’ll be doing everything we can to try to be right for that and try to make a few decisions a little bit closer,” he stated when pressed by reporters about his fitness for the crucial series. His commitment to taking Australia into battle is unquestioned, as he does not want to be left watching from the sidelines.
As far as captaincy goes, Cummins has certainly been a leader to follow for the Australian team ever since that speech in November 2021, when appointed captain. He understands the pressure that comes with his role. Cummins conveyed confidence in his ability to regain match fitness quickly, citing his current stage in his career: “At this stage of my career I feel like I can probably get up to speed a bit quicker than when I was 18 or 19.”
With just about 12 weeks until the opening Test, Cummins is right to be hopeful, but such is the gauntlet he runs. He knew he was going to have to take the “aggressive” approach in proving his fitness ahead of the series. What he said illustrated just how important the captaincy role has become to him. If Cummins is ruled out, Scott Boland will almost certainly join the pace on his likely return to the side.
George Bailey, the national selector, was optimistic about Cummins’ recovery. He is convinced that Cummins will be walking Australia onto the field for the first Ashes opener in Perth. This ongoing support from team management makes overall leadership and experience by high-impact players like Cummins especially valuable.
Whether coerced or chosen, Steve Smith has filled that role for Cummins on several occasions since taking over as captain. This further points to the great depth of talent Australia has in its squad. Cummins will be the key figure as Australia attempt to reclaim supremacy in Test cricket. The eagerly awaited Ashes series will be their chance to regain that mantle.
