Pat Cummins Determined to Lead Australia in Ashes Opener

Australia Captain Pat Cummins aims for fitness milestone

Australia's cricket captain Pat Cummins is working hard to recover from a back injury in time for the Ashes series against England, starting with the first Test in Perth on November 21.

“I'm still doing a bit of gym, but no real running, no bowling. Get that right, and then we'll build up to the summer...”

Australian captain Pat Cummins is optimistic about his chances of playing in the first Ashes Test against England in Perth, despite struggling with a back injury. Cummins has been ruled out of the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and India due to lumbar bone stress, but he's determined to recover in time for the Ashes. “It would be devastating” to miss the Perth clash, Cummins said, emphasizing his commitment to regaining fitness.

Cummins' Road to Recovery

1. Cummins is following a restricted training regimen, focusing on gym work without any intense running or bowling.
2. He'll undergo a reassessment in a month to determine the progress of his recovery.
3. The Australian skipper is confident that he can get up to speed quickly, even without playing a Sheffield Shield game before the Ashes.
4. Cummins acknowledges that he's willing to take risks to ensure his fitness for the series, given its significance.

Ashes Preparations

Australia's chairman of selectors, George Bailey, shares Cummins' optimism, expecting him to lead the team in the first Test. With around 12 weeks until the Ashes opener, Cummins has sufficient time to recover and prepare. If Cummins misses the start of the Ashes, Scott Boland and Steve Smith are potential replacements, with Boland having impressed with a hat-trick in Australia's previous Test series.

“(I'm) confident we'll do the rehab right and give it a good crack,” Cummins told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.

“This far out, it's hard to know, but we're trying to make sure we're doing everything right to be right for Perth.

“It's a big Ashes series, it doesn't get much bigger, so you're willing to be aggressive and take a few risks to try to play as many of the Tests as you can.”

Pat Cummins said he had been taking it easy since returning sore from Australia's 3-0 Test triumph over the West Indies in June and July. “With bone injuries, you really just want to settle it down,” Cummins explained, highlighting the importance of caution when dealing with bone stress injuries. He emphasized that rushing back to action could exacerbate the issue, potentially leading to a longer recovery period.

“I'm still doing a bit of gym, but no real running, no bowling. Get that right, and then we'll build up to the summer. We've got loads of time, there's about 12 weeks until the first Test. We'll see how the next little bit pans out,” he added.

Australia captain Pat Cummins is willing to put it all on the line to lead the hosts at the Ashes 🙌#WTC27 | More ➡️ https://t.co/oIBQo32Hc7 pic.twitter.com/NGBK717z8J

— ICC (@ICC) September 3, 2025

Managing the Injury

Cummins' approach to managing his back injury involves a careful balance of rest and rehabilitation. By avoiding intense physical activity, he's allowing his body to heal and reduce the risk of further aggravation. This cautious approach is crucial in ensuring that he's fit for the Ashes series against England.

Ashes Aspirations

Despite the setback, Cummins remains focused on leading Australia in the Ashes. He's determined to recover in time for the first Test in Perth and is working closely with the team's medical staff to ensure his fitness. Cummins' experience and leadership will be vital for Australia's success in the series.

Cummins is confident that his experience will enable him to quickly get up to speed once he's cleared to return to bowling. Despite being ruled out of the upcoming white-ball series, Cummins is optimistic about his chances of playing in the first Ashes Test against England in Perth. His experience and match-readiness should help him hit the ground running when he returns to the pitch.

“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," he added.

“I'm pretty confident even if I don't get a chance to play a (Sheffield) Shield game, I can get up to speed.”

The 2025-26 Ashes series between Australia and England kicks off on November 21, 2025, at Perth Stadium, marking the first time the stadium will host an Ashes Test. 

Pat Cummins is prepared to push the envelope in his bid to be fit for the start of the #Ashes: https://t.co/9jRSrrXMmd pic.twitter.com/RSvUusxM12

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 3, 2025

Here's the schedule for the five-Test series:

• Perth Test: November 21-25, 2025, at Perth Stadium
• Brisbane Test: December 4-8, 2025 (day-night Test at the Gabba)
• Adelaide Test: December 17-21, 2025, at Adelaide Oval (Christmas Test)
• Melbourne Test: December 26-30, 2025, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (Boxing Day Test)
• Sydney Test: January 4-8, 2026, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (New Year's Test)

This schedule aligns with Cricket Australia's seven-year planning strategy, providing certainty around fixtures and supporting growth in cricket-related events.